The eye gnat Hippelates pusio as a vector of bacterial conjunctivitis using rabbits as an animal model
Payne, W.J.; Cole, J.R.; Snoddy, E.L.; Seibold, H.R.
Journal of Medical Entomology 13(4-5): 599-603
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-2585 PMID: 845903 Document Number: 111851
Eye gnats (H. pusio Loew) have been considered possible vectors for the bacterium Haemophilus aegyptius, which causes conjunctivitis in children. After exposure to a culture of H. aegyptius, the eye gnat retained viable organisms for a maximum of 10 h. A severe conjunctivitis was produced in rabbits treated by 60Co and UV irradiation and then inoculated with H. aegyptius. This bacterium was then transmitted by the eye gnat from the eyes of the experimentally infected rabbits to irradiated rabbits, producing infection. Pathologic changes observed in the eyes of rabbits with conjunctivitis were attributed to infection with H. aegyptius. Eye gnats can act as mechanical vectors of H. aegyptius, with production of conjunctivitis. A conjunctivitis was also produced in irradiated rabbits by inoculation and gnat transmission of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus sp.