ABSTRACT
Lucilia cuprina is also known as the Australian sheep blowfly, or the bronze bottle fly. Adult blowflies are found in food, excrement, carrion, in vegetation, sewage and wastes. Lucilia cuprina are natural carriers of pathogens, including food-borne disease agents, and are important in spreading viruses, fungi, bacteria, and protozoa. Over 100 pathogenic microorganisms have been associated with these flies such as Enterobacter cloacae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia. Coli. The objectives of this study was to identify the pathogens and microbes on the blowfly across a major trade market in Benin City, to determine the phenotypic virulence determinants of the bacterial isolates, and to determine the antibacterial sensitivity of the bacterial isolates. The blowflies were collected from a major dumpsite located at Uselu market using a sweep net and transferred to a killing jar to kill it and then placed inside a transparent bottle containing 70% of ethyl alcohol for preservation. The captured blow flies were transferred to a labeled container and transported to the laboratory for identification, with a total of 20 samples collected. The result showed the antibacterial sensitivity of the bacteria, Escherichia coli, Serratia sp., Pseudomonas sp., and proteus sp., to be resistant to gentamycin, ciprofloxacin, carbenicillin and chitosan. The result also showed that the multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index was between 0.333 to 0.444, showing that these pathogens are of public health importance. In conclusion, Lucilia cuprina, is a significant vector for several pathogens that pose a considerable threat to livestock and human populations.
