Decoding Microbial Community Assembly: Insights on Vectors of Infectious Diseases.

Abstract

Vector-borne diseases (VBDs), which are caused by pathogens transmitted by vectors such as mosquitoes and ticks, account for more than 17% of infectious diseases and more than 700,000 deaths annually. The complexity of VBDs arises from ecological interactions among hosts, vectors, pathogens, and the environment, with vector microbiota playing a pivotal role in the modulation of vector competence. Advances in sequencing and in microbiome analysis have deepened our understanding of microbial community assembly within vectors and revealed opportunities for novel control strategies. Network analysis has become essential for uncovering microbial interactions and identifying keystone species that affect community stability and pathogen transmission. Despite progress, key challenges remain in deciphering the drivers of vector microbiota assembly. This review highlights factors shaping microbiota assembly, the potential of network analysis, and promising interventions such as antimicrobiota vaccines and paratransgenesis to reduce pathogen transmission. Future research should focus on standardizing methodologies and leveraging emerging technologies for effective and sustainable VBD control.