BACKGROUND: Colibacillosis is an infectious disease caused by E. coli. This infection is
spread by the feces and other secretions of infected animals and humans. Non-biting Muscid
flies characteristically visit manure and decaying organic materials to feed and oviposit and
may contribute to disease transmission. OBJECTIVES: This paper reviews the role of house
flies (Musca domestica) in E.coli transmission at poultry farms. METHODS: In this study,
2000 house flies (Musca domestica) were collected from 2 commercial laying hen farms
around Karaj. They were examined for the presence of the bacteria. In an adjacent study,
laboratory-reared flies were experimentally exposed to E. coli (ATCC10536) strain and the
infected samples were examined at regular intervals. RESULTS: The E. coli was detected in
the dissected gasterointestinal tract of laboratory-exposed flies for up to 72 h. post exposure,
whereas after that time the infected flies and the untreated control flies were negative.
CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that considering the ability of mechanical vector during
72 hours, the E. coli transmission is possible in short time.