Objective: It is known that Musca domestica, which has a cosmopolitan distribution and belongs to Muscidae family, is an important vector of pathogens for humans and animals. However, the relationship between the alleles in the MdαE7 (Musca domestica-α-esterase-7) gene region, which plays an important role in insecticide resistance in M. domestica, and the vectors of these pathogens is unknown. In this study, it was aimed to determine with molecular methods whether there was a relationship between the resistance alleles in the MdαE7 gene region of M. domestica and their vectors.

Methods: A total of 170 adult M. domestica were collected from the houses of residents of Aksaray province in the Central Anatolia Region during the summer months of 2023. DNAs of adult M. domestica were isolated using the E.Z.N.A®Insect DNA Isolation Kit (Omega Bio-Tek, Georgia, USA), MdαE7 gene region was targeted, MdαE49 and MdαE50 primers were used, PCR and DNA sequence analysis were performed. To determine the vectors of M. domestica, real-time PCR analysis of DNA isolates was performed using primers specific for bacterial and parasitic species.

Results: According to the results of the DNA sequence analysis; while two different alleles (Gly137→Asp, Trp137→Ser251) were detected in 41.2% (70/170) of a total of 170 DNA samples, no alleles were detected in the other samples (58.8%, 100/170). While Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptocooccus pyogenes were detected in 35.3% (60/170) of M. domestica, these bacterial species were not found in 64.7% (110/170). Cryptosporidium parvum, Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia duodenalis and Strongyloides stercoralis were detected in 23.5% (40/170) of M. domestica, while these parasite species were absent in 76.5% (130/170). The alleles detected in M. domestica were compared with their bacterial and parasitic vectors. While parasites were detected in 23.% (40/170) of M. domestica alleles, bacterial pathogens were not detected in M. domestica carrying these allelles.

Conclusion: Insecticides should be used in appropriate doses to to combat these flies and protect against vectors of M. domestica, which poses a health hazard in our homes, and is especially common in regions where agriculture and animal husbandry are common.