Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38797818›Full record

ArticleAnimal microbiome2024

Microbial dynamics and vertical transmission of Escherichia coli across consecutive life stages of the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens).

Noor Van Looveren, Freek IJdema, Niels van der Heijden, Mik Van Der Borght, Dries Vandeweyer

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Animal microbiome, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 8 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
8citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

8 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Selection andACS agricultural science & technology · 2026
    Article
  4. Article
  5. Article
  6. Article
  7. Investigating the Microbial Dynamics ofFoods (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025
    Article
  8. Microbiological and molecular analysis of the microbiota of insects present in the surgical area.Antimicrobial stewardship & healthcare epidemiology : ASHE · 2025
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Noor Van LooverenKU Leuven, Geel Campus, Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems (M2S), Research Group for Insect Production and Processing, Kleinhoefstraat 4, Geel, 2440, Belgium.
Freek IJdemaKU Leuven, Geel Campus, Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems (M2S), Research Group for Insect Production and Processing, Kleinhoefstraat 4, Geel, 2440, Belgium.
Niels van der HeijdenKU Leuven, Geel Campus, Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems (M2S), Research Group for Insect Production and Processing, Kleinhoefstraat 4, Geel, 2440, Belgium.
Mik Van Der BorghtKU Leuven, Geel Campus, Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems (M2S), Research Group for Insect Production and Processing, Kleinhoefstraat 4, Geel, 2440, Belgium.
Dries VandeweyerKU Leuven, Geel Campus, Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems (M2S), Research Group for Insect Production and Processing, Kleinhoefstraat 4, Geel, 2440, Belgium. dries.vandeweyer@kuleuven.be.

Funding

Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek ID 28Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek S008519NHorizon 2020 861976
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe black soldier fly (BSF, Hermetia illucens L.) is one of the most promising insects for bioconversion of organic waste, which often carry a high microbial load with potential foodborne pathogens. Although horizontal transmission (from rearing substrate to larvae) has been extensively studied, less is known about vertical transmission of microorganisms, and particularly of foodborne pathogens, across different BSF life stages.

resultsThis study investigated the microbial dynamics and vertical transmission of Escherichia coli across different life stages (larvae, prepupae, pupae and adults) of one BSF life cycle and its associated substrate (chicken feed) and frass, based on a combination of general microbial counts (based on culture-dependent techniques) and the bacterial community composition (based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing). Multiple interactions between the microbiota of the substrate, frass and BSF larvae were affirmed. The larvae showed relative consistency among both the microbial counts and bacterial community composition. Diversification of the bacterial communities started during the pupal stage, while most notable changes of the microbial counts and bacterial community compositions occurred during metamorphosis to adults. Furthermore, vertical transmission of E. coli was investigated after substrate inoculation with approximately 7.0 log cfu/g of kanamycin-resistant E. coli, and monitoring E. coli counts from larval to adult stage. Although the frass still contained substantial levels of E. coli (> 4.5 log cfu/g) and E. coli was taken up by the larvae, limited vertical transmission of E. coli was observed with a decreasing trend until the prepupal stage. E. coli counts were below the detection limit (1.0 log cfu/g) for all BSF samples from the end of the pupal stage and the adult stage. Additionally, substrate inoculation of E. coli did not have a substantial impact on the bacterial community composition of the substrate, frass or different BSF life stages.

conclusionsThe fluctuating microbial counts and bacterial community composition underscored the dynamic character of the microbiota of BSF life stages. Additionally, vertical transmission throughout one BSF life cycle was not observed for E. coli. Hence, these findings paved the way for future case studies on vertical transmission of foodborne pathogens across consecutive BSF life stages or other insect species.

Indexed as

16S rRNA gene sequencingBacterial communityFoodborne pathogensHermetia illucensVertical transmission

Identifiers

PMID38797818
PMCPMC11129375

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.