Mosquito-borne diseases present a significant threat to human health, with the possibility of outbreaks of new mosquito-borne diseases always looming. Unfortunately, current measures to combat these diseases such as vaccines and drugs are often either unavailable or ineffective. However, recent studies on microbiomes may reveal promising strategies to fight these diseases. In this review, we examine recent advances in our understanding of the effects of both the mosquito and vertebrate microbiomes on mosquito-borne diseases. We argue that the mosquito microbiome can have direct and indirect impacts on the transmission of these diseases, with mosquito symbiotic microorganisms, particularly Wolbachia bacteria, showing potential for controlling mosquito-borne diseases. Moreover, the skin microbiome of vertebrates plays a significant role in mosquito preferences, while the gut microbiome has an impact on the progression of mosquito-borne diseases in humans. As researchers continue to explore the role of microbiomes in mosquito-borne diseases, we highlight some promising future directions for this field. Ultimately, a better understanding of the interplay between mosquitoes, their hosts, pathogens, and the microbiomes of mosquitoes and hosts may hold the key to preventing and controlling mosquito-borne diseases.
Animals ; Humans ; Culicidae/microbiology* ; Vector Borne Diseases ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Wolbachia

OBJECTIVEAssessment of the bacterium L. sphaericus as a dual-action candidate for biological control of mosquito-borne diseases and bioremediation of toxic metals.

METHODSLarvae of the mosquito, C. quinquefasciatus, were first evaluated for metal tolerance and then exposed to 5 ppm cadmium, chromium, arsenic, and lead in assays together with seven strains of L. sphaericus. A probit regression analysis was used to estimate the LC(50) of Cd, Cr, As, and Pb to C. quinquefasciatus. An analysis of covariance and multifactorial ANOVA examined the metal biosorption and larvicidal properties of the seven strains of L. sphaericus.

RESULTSWe found that L. sphaericus adsorbed the toxic metal ions and was toxic against mosquito larvae. The L. sphaericus strain III(3)7 resulted in a larvae mortality of over 80% for all the tested metals. This strain also exhibited the capacity to adsorb 76% of arsenic, 32% of lead, 25% of chromium, and 7% of cadmium.

CONCLUSIONThis study found combined metal adsorption and larval toxicity associated with three strains of L. sphaericus [III(3)7, OT4b.31, and CBAM5]. This suggests that a combination of these strains shows strong dual potential for biological control of mosquitos in heavy metal-contaminated areas and remediate the heavy metal contamination as well.

Animals ; Bacillaceae ; physiology ; Culicidae ; microbiology ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Insect Vectors ; Larva ; microbiology ; Metals, Heavy ; metabolism ; toxicity ; Water Pollutants, Chemical ; metabolism ; toxicity