Induction of antibacterial activity in the blowfly larvae by natural infection model

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the antibacterial activities of blowfly larval induced by natural infection. Methods: The sterile larvae were mixed in a test tube containing a bacterial Escherichia coli (E coli) which was suspended in phosphate buffered saline (PBS), and incubated at 25 °C for given periods, with sterilized PBS as control group. Then the haemolymph was collected and tested against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively. Diameter ring was recorded to indicate the antibacterial activities. Results: Infected larvae had better antibacterial capacities than sterile larvae. Antibacterial activities peak appeared at 24 hours and disappeared after 48 hours. The induced haemolymph from the larva possesses stronger antibacterial activity against S aureus than P aeruginosa. Conclusion: The sterile larva of blowfly, Lucilia sericata, antibacterial activities could be induced by a natural infection model.