Isolation of enterobacteria from Musca domestica in Coro, Falcon state, Venezuela

The housefly (Musca domestica) is a species and is characteristically associated with human activity. Houseflies constitute a health hazard in rural and urban areas with poor sanitary facilities. Between January and May 2006, enterobacteria were isolated in 30 adults of Musca domestica captured in 3 municipal environments: an out market (N=10), a dumping ground (N=10) and a hospital (HUAVG) (N=10), from Coro city, Falcon state, Venezuela. Bacteriological analysis revealed the presence of 10 Gram negative bacterial species (Enterobacteriaceae) in 96.67% of the flies cultured, including: Enterobacter cloacae, E. gergoviae, E. aerogenes, Escherichia coli, Pantoea agglomerans, Proteus mirabilis, P. vulgaris, Providencia rettgeri, P. alcalifaciens y Morganella morganii. Of these, seven enterobacteria species were isolated from flies collected in HUAVG, and six each from those caught in market and dumping ground areas. Pantoea agglomerans (30%: 9/30), P. mirabilis (23.33%: 7/30) and E. cloacae (16.67%: 5/30) were the enterobacteria most frequently detected. The Enterobacteriaceae specie isolated here from M. domestica also has been detected in human dermal, urinary, pulmonary and gastrointestinal infections at HUAVG. Therefore, the role of the housefly as a potential mechanical vector of potentially pathogenic enterobacteria to humans in hospital, domiciliary and food supply environments from Coro city, Falcon state, Venezuela, is suggested.