title: The impact of climate on the abundance of Musca sorbens, the vector of trachoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To assess the extent to which climate may affect the abundance of Musca sorbens, a putative vector of trachoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Studies were identified by systematically searching online databases including CAB abstracts, Embase, Global Health, Medline, Web of Science and BIOS Online, references from key articles, and the websites of relevant international agencies.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic literature review was conducted of field and laboratory studies that reported the impact of climate factors (e.g., temperature, humidity) on the synanthropic fly Musca sorbens. Data were systematically extracted and studies assessed for quality by two readers. Study results were reported narratively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 16 studies met the inclusion criteria but only three evaluated associations between climatic/abiotic factors and M. sorbens. Limited evidence indicates that M. sorbens abundance has an optimal temperature and humidity range. Thirteen studies reported seasonal patterns but no consistent pattern was found between season and the abundance of M. sorbens.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The evidence base regarding the effect of climatic factors on M. sorbens is limited, so it is difficult to construct a biological model driven by climate for this species. A multivariate statistical approach based on the climate of sites where M. sorbens is found may better capture its complex relationship with climatic factors as well as aid in mapping the global range of M. sorbens.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases (ITD), London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), Keppel Street, London, UK. anita.ramesh@lshtm.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ramesh
authors.affiliation: Department of Disease Control, ITD, LSHTM, Keppel Street, London, UK. julie.bristow@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bristow
authors.affiliation: Department of Social and Environmental Health Research, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, LSHTM, Keppel Street, London, UK. sari.kovats@lshtm.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Sari
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kovats
authors.affiliation: School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Durham University, Durham, UK. s.w.lindsday@durham.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Steven W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Lindsay
authors.affiliation: Sightsavers, Haywards Health, West Sussex, UK. dhaslam@sightsavers.org.uk.
authors.forename: Dominic
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Haslam
authors.affiliation: Sightsavers, Haywards Health, West Sussex, UK. eschmidt@sightsavers.org.uk.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases (ITD), London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), Keppel Street, London, UK. clare.gilbert@lshtm.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Clare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gilbert
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000502:physiology*; D002980:Climate; D005260:Female; D005843:Geography; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000382:microbiology; D009117:Muscidae / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000382:microbiology; D012621:Seasons; D013696:Temperature; D014141:Trachoma / Q000635:transmission*
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