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Persistence of Bacteria in the Developmental Stages^*,, of the Housefly

IV. Infectivity of the Newly Emerged Adult

An evaluation of the infectivity of the newly emerged adult housefly is based on a quantitative bacteriological study of the following:

1. Feces and meconium of flies reared with a single species of human pathogen or with a multiple saprophytic flora;

2. Cumulative sampling of feces from flies maintained aseptically for 2 days;

3. Testing of digestive tract;

4. Sampling of bacteria on the surface and within the fly.

Data for the first three categories indicate that the fly's gut contains very few bacteria. This is further evidence for a general process of gut sterilization which commences before pupation and is completed by the time of eclosion. The data for the fourth category show that surface contaminants account for only a part of the remaining flora, the rest of which is retained internally at counts of about 100. The epidemiological implications of these findings are discussed.

^* This study was supported by a grant from the University of Illinois Research Board.

The author gratefully acknowledges the contribution of Dr. Allen M. Burkman of the College of Pharmacy in preparing the statistical analysis of the data. He also wishes to thank Miss Esther Cooksey of Chicago for the preparation of the illustrations.