%0 Journal Article
%T A systematic review of human pathogens carried by the housefly (Musca domestica L.).
%A Khamesipour F
%A Lankarani KB
%A Honarvar B
%A Kwenti TE
%J BMC Public Health
%V 18
%N 1
%D Aug 2018 22
%M 30134910
%F 4.135
%R 10.1186/s12889-018-5934-3
%X <B>BACKGROUND: </B>The synanthropic house fly, Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae), is a mechanical vector of pathogens (bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites), some of which cause serious diseases in humans and domestic animals. In the present study, a systematic review was done on the types and prevalence of human pathogens carried by the house fly.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Major health-related electronic databases including PubMed, PubMed Central, Google Scholar, and Science Direct were searched (Last update 31/11/2017) for relevant literature on pathogens that have been isolated from the house fly.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Of the 1718 titles produced by bibliographic search, 99 were included in the review. Among the titles included, 69, 15, 3, 4, 1 and 7 described bacterial, fungi, bacteria+fungi, parasites, parasite+bacteria, and viral pathogens, respectively. Most of the house flies were captured in/around human habitation and animal farms. Pathogens were frequently isolated from body surfaces of the flies. Over 130 pathogens, predominantly bacteria (including some serious and life-threatening species) were identified from the house flies. Numerous publications also reported antimicrobial resistant bacteria and fungi isolated from house flies.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>This review showed that house flies carry a large number of pathogens which can cause serious infections in humans and animals. More studies are needed to identify new pathogens carried by the house fly.