Role of Vector Microbiota on Vector Physiology and Vector-Borne Pathogens Interactions

Dear Colleagues,

Interest and knowledge in the role of vector microbiota on vector physiology and vector-borne pathogen interaction has increased in recent years. However, mechanisms underlying the multipartite interaction between vectors, microbiota, pathogens and vertebrate hosts remain poorly characterized.

In addition to pathogens, arthropod vectors can harbor commensal and symbiotic bacteria that provide nutritional factors, modulate the immune system of the vector and facilitate or compete with vector-borne pathogen colonization and/or transmission. Disturbance of the microbiota has demonstrated that the alteration of the microbial community abundance or composition have a significant impact on vector physiology and competence. For example, antibiotic treatment in ticks hampers nymphs’ growth and molting to adult stage, and can also block the development at the metanymph stage in engorged female ticks. Microbiota disruption by antibiotics also affects pathogen susceptibility in D. andersoni, where a negative correlation has been found between the endosymbiont Rickettsia belli and the pathogen Anaplasma marginale. Dysbiosis of ticks raised in a sterile environment fed significantly more than normal larvae on B. burgdorferi-infected C₃H/HeN mice and number of spirochetes in dysbiosed larvae showed significantly decreased Borrelia colonization. Recently, anti-microbiota vaccines were introduced as a tool for the manipulation of the vector microbiota in a taxon-specific manner. Preliminary results showed that immunization with tick microbiota Enterobacteriaceae affects tick feeding and the taxonomic and functional profiles associated with the tick microbiome. Altogether, these findings reinforce the importance of host–pathogen–microbiota interactions in vector physiology and competence, and encourage further study for a deeper understanding of this interaction in order to provide novel opportunities to limit vector-borne pathogen transmission.

The aim of this Special Issue is to explore the research landscape on vector microbiota in order to find novel developments that may impact on vector physiology, vector-borne pathogens, and new strategies for controlling vector-borne diseases.

We would also like to express special acknowledgment to Alejandra Wu Chuang and Apolline Maitre for their editing assistance.

Dr. Lourdes Mateos-Hernández
Guest Editor

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• microbiota
• vector
• vector-borne pathogens
• ticks
• mosquitoes
• anti-microbiota vaccine