The Impact of the Entomopathogenic Fungus Conidiobolus coronatus on the Free Fatty Acid Profile of the Flesh Fly Sarcophaga argyrostoma

The chemical composition of the insect cuticle varies remarkably between species and their life stages. It can affect host resistance and substrate utilization by invading entomopathogen fungi, such as the soil fungus Conidiobolus coronatus. In this study, Sarcophaga argyrostoma flies were exposed to sporulating C. coronatus colonies for 24 h; the pupae were resistant, but the adults demonstrated 60% mortality. Although the pupae demonstrated no sign of infection nor any abnormal development, our findings indicate that after 24 h of contact with the fungus, the pupae demonstrated a 25.2-fold increase in total cuticular free fatty acids (FFAs) and a 1.9-fold decrease in total internal FFAs. Also, the cuticular FFA increased from 26 to 30, while the internal FFA class increased from 13 to 23. In exposed adults, the total mass of cuticular FFAs increased 1.7-fold, while the number of FFAs stayed the same (32 FFAs). Also, the internal FFA class increased from 26 to 35 and the total FFA mass increased 1.1-fold. These considerable differences between adults and pupae associated with C. coronatus exposure indicate developmental changes in the mechanisms governing lipid metabolism and spatial distribution in the organism, and suggest that cuticular lipids play a vital role in the defence against pathogenic fungi.

3. Flies Larva On White Rat Carcass (Rattus norvegicus Berkenhout, 1769) With Various Treatment Outdoor

Insect activity including its life cycle can determine the estimated time of death or Post Mortem Interval (PMI). One type of insect that plays an important role in determining the estimated time of death is flies. This study aims to determine the types of flies that come to the carcass and to determine the types of flies that dominate and less dominate from each treatment onwhite rat (carcassesR. norvegicusmale) outdoors. This study consisted of 3 treatments with 3 repetitions each. The treatments included A (neck bone dislocation), B (burned), and C (poisoned). Carcass observations were carried out for 10 days and larvae collection was carried out every 2 days starting from the third day of observation. The parameters observed included the number and morphological characteristics of instar 3 fly larvae. The types of fly larvae found in all treatments were Lucilia illustris (5.42%), Sarcophaga sp (12.80%), Sarcophaga argyrostoma (30.62%), and Sarcophaga variegata (51.16%). The dominant fly larvae of the three treatments was S. variegata and the less dominant fly larvae was L. illustris.

Gastrointestinal Myiasis Due to Sarcophaga argyrostoma (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) in Mashhad, Iran: a Case Report

Myiasis is infection with a fly larva, usually occurring in tropical and subtropical areas. A 32-years-old immunocom­pro­mised woman with fever, gastrointestinal pain, cramps, vomiting; and fatigue was referred to Ghaem Hospital in Mash­had in July 2018. Entomological characterisation of cephaloskeletons, posterior spiracles of the excreted larvae and gen­ital dissection of male fly were diagnosed as Sarcophaga (Liopygia) argyrostoma. Accidental intestinal myiasis caused by unplanned intake of dipterous larvae by contaminated food staff or water. Patients with immune deficiency may be more at risk for the threat of maggot’s infestation, so in such cases, hospital standard should be more in atten­tion. To best of our knowledge, S. argyrostoma has not been reported before in the indexed literature from Iran.

The effect of morphine on the development rate of flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae, Sarcophagidae) reared on rabbit carcasses containing this drug and its implications to postmortem interval estimates

Insects can prove to be a valuable tool in the estimation of PMI in the investigation of homicides, suicides, and other unattended human deaths, in the absence of tissues and body fluids. Aim: The current study aimed to determine morphine concentration in the second, third feeding, third post-feeding instars, and puparial skin of four forensically important flies; Lucilia sericata (Meigen), Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann), Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) (Calliphoridae), and Sarcophaga argyrostoma (Robineau-Desvoidy) (Sarcophagidae) and to evaluate its effect on the rate and pattern of development of these flies. Materials and methods: Three female domestic rabbits, Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.) each weighing 2.5 kg received dosages of 7.5, 15, and 30 mg of morphine over a 3-h period via left ear artery perfusion. For each trial, one other rabbit, weighing 2.5 kg, was used as a control. Morphine was detected in larval instars and puparial skin using ready to use RIA kit. Results: All blood and tissue samples obtained from the rabbits receiving dosages of morphine were positive for the drug. Morphine concentrations for rabbit R2 were 1.2 to 2.6 times greater than those for rabbit R1, and concentrations for rabbit R3 were 1.4 to 3.1 times greater than those for rabbit R2. For each rabbit, morphine concentration in second, third feeding and third post-feeding instars, and puparial skin for all four species, were less than those detected in the tissues. The highest levels of morphine were recorded in the feeding third instars of Chr. megacephala R3 colony, whereas the lowest level of this drug was detected in the feeding third instars of S. argyrostoma R1 colony. Estimations of larval age for L. sericata, Chr. albiceps, Chr. megacephala and S. argyrostoma based on mean length can be significantly in error if presence of morphine in the tissues is not considered. This error can be as great as 24, 27, 6 and 21 h respectively. Conclusion: In cases of badly decomposed and/or skeletonized remains, analyses of collected carrion-feeding insects, may provide the most accurate qualitative sources of toxicological information.

Massive Orbital Myiasis Caused by Sarcophaga argyrostoma Complicating Eyelid Malignancy

Purpose. To report a case of massive orbital myiasis caused by the larvae of Sarcophaga argyrostoma, complicating eyelid malignancy. Observations. A 98-year-old man first presented to our clinic noted to have a fast-growing lesion on his right upper and lower eyelids. Squamous cell carcinoma of the eyelids was highly suspected, and surgical excision was advised, but the patient refused any surgical or nonsurgical intervention. For the next eight months, the patient’s family members continued to observe a high rate of tumor growth accompanied by deterioration of the general condition. During this whole period, the patient rejected admission to the hospital and was observed by nursing home staff. He was admitted to the emergency room in cachexic, unresponsive condition with fetid discharge and multiple live maggots crawling out from a large necrotic mass over the right orbit. On examination, no eyelids, eyeball, or other ocular tissue could be seen, while an extension of necrotic mass to forehead and midcheek was noted. Manual removal of larvae was performed. The patient passed away eight hours after his admission and larval removal. The maggots were identified as the third-instar larvae of Sarcophaga argyrostoma. Conclusions and Importance. This is the first reported case of home-acquired, massive orbital myiasis by S. argyrostoma. This case illustrates the crucial role of fly control as part of medical and home care in immobile patients. Moreover, it shows the importance of awareness by nursing home staff, paramedical, and medical personnel of possible myiasis, especially in bed-bound patients with skin malignancies and open wounds.

Trypanocidal activity of methanol extracts of the hemolymph of Sarcophaga argyrostoma larva against Trypanosoma evansi infected mice

Background and Aim: Many natural products worldwide are used for medicinal purposes. Various insect-isolated compounds were investigated in pursuit of new therapeutic agents. This study aimed to compare the effects of methanol extract of hemolymph of Sarcophaga argyrostoma larvae with diminazene aceturate on some hematological and biochemical indices of mice infected with Trypanosoma evansi. Materials and Methods: Sixteen albino mice were randomly divided into four groups, of four mice, which received different treatments: In Group 1 (G1), mice were infected intraperitoneally with 1×104 T. evansi and received no treatment (positive control), in Group 2 (G2), infected mice were treated with 0.5 mL/kg of diminazene aceturate, in Group 3 (G3), infected mice were treated with 0.5 mL/kg methanol extract of the hemolymph of S. argyrostoma larvae, and in Group 4 (G4), uninfected mice received 0.5 ml of distilled water (negative control). In G3, treatment was started 3 days before injecting the parasite, while for the other groups, a single dose of treatment was applied when the parasite appeared in the blood. Results: Mice from G3 showed low parasitemia of 29×104/mm3 4 days post-infection until the infection completely disappeared on the 5th day, which was earlier than for other groups. The results showed that the numbers of red blood corpuscles (red blood cells [RBCs]) and white blood cells (WBCs) per unit volume were significantly different (p<0.05) between the four groups. The highest RBC (9.09×103 cell/ mm3) and WBC (14.30×103 cell/ mm3) counts were recorded in G3, whereas the lowest values of 6.60 and 4.60×103cell/ mm3, respectively, were recorded for G2. In addition, there were significant differences (p<0.05) between the different groups for platelet counts per unit volume, with G3 having the most (943×103 cell/ mm3) and G2 having the least (357×103 cell/ mm3). There was a significant (p<0.05) difference in the indices of biochemical activities between the extract-treated infected groups and the standard drug-treated group. Conclusion: This study suggests that the methanol extract of the hemolymph of S. argyrostoma larva exhibits trypanocidal activity, so it may be exploited as a suitable candidate for the development of trypanocidal drugs.