A STUDY FOCUSED ON MONITORING THE SPREAD OF PATHOGENS, AND EXAMINING ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE GENES THROUGH THE SCREENING OF VECTOR INSECTS ON Livestock
Project Overview
An insect study that focuses on the biological and mechanical transmission of foodborne illnesses, and their associated pathogens.
Enteric pathogens are the leading causes of foodborne illnesses.
Specifically the taxa of Salmonella, Escherichia, and Shigella are in question for this project. We aim to monitor these pathogens
through various insects including, House Fly (Musca domestica),
Blow Fly species such as Cochliomyia macellaria, Lucilia sericata, and
Lesser mealworms (Albitobius diaperinus).
The objective is to determine the role of different insect vectors in
harboring and transmitting foodborne pathogens and antimicrobial resistance genes on poultry farms. The results will inform the development and application of improved vector monitoring to control the spread of pathogens from livestock farms.
Target Species for This Project
Blow fly
House Fly
Dissections
Perhaps one of the most important steps of this project is dissecting intact alimentary canals.
