Diversity of synanthropic flies and their potential for transmitting diarrheal diseases in Maroua (Far North-Cameroon)

Introduction: synanthropic flies are sometimes involved in the transmission of diarrheal diseases as mechanical vectors of pathogenic bacteria. The purpose of this study was to assess the diversity of synanthropic flies and to determine their potential involvement in the transmission of diarrheal diseases in the city of Maroua. Methods: fly catching sessions were carried out per season in 12 wards, in five different sites and in three moments of the day, corresponding to the different daily sunshine hours. Multiple keys for the identification of diptera and of microbiological analyzes in the laboratory were used to estimate the biodiversity and the portage of microorganisms by the synanthropic flies. We carried out an ecological and statistical analyses of collected data. Results: eight species of synanthropic flies belonging to four families were identified in the city of Maroua and the distribution of these species varied according to the seasons, sites and moment of the day (p<0.05). Musca domestica and Chrysomya putoria were the most numerous species detected in the sites where the activities of agri-food processing and livestock were intense, notably Harde, Pont-vert, Doualare, Kongola and Makabaye. Escherichia coli was more involved than Salmonella spp.in the transmission of diarrheal diseases and the portage of bacteria by synanthropic flies was abundance-dependent. Conclusion: the diversity of synanthropic flies varies as a function of anthropogenic activities, season of the year and moment of the day. These flies are important potential mechanical vectors of fecal pathogenic bacteria in Maroua.