The Vector - Host - Pathogen Interface: The Next Frontier in the Battle Against Mosquito-Borne Viral Diseases?

Abstract

An unprecedented spread of mosquito-borne viruses and increasing populations of mosquito vectors has led to an increase in the frequency of mosquito-borne virus disease outbreaks. Recent outbreaks of Zika virus (ZIKV) and yellow fever virus (YFV), among others have led to a concerted effort to understand the biology of mosquito-borne viruses and their interaction with their vector mosquito and vertebrate hosts. Recent studies have aimed to understand the vector-host-pathogen interface and how it influences infection, tropism and disease severity in the vertebrate host. The initial replication of the pathogen at the skin bite site is crucial in determining the progression of the infection in the vertebrate host. Delineating the role of the commensal microbes in the mosquito saliva as well as how they interact with the vertebrate host keratinocytes will improve our understanding of disease immunopathology and may lead to new therapeutics.

Novel paradigm of mosquito-borne disease control based on self-powered strategy

“…It is the largest genus of mosquitoes, including 38 subgenera and nearly 1,000 species, and is the main vector of urban yellow fever (29), chikungunya virus (30) and dengue fever (31,32). Experimental infection models have shown that it can also transmit Venezuelan equine encephalitis, western equine encephalitis, eastern equine encephalitis, rift valley fever,zika virus, and other viruses by biting and sucking blood (33,34). Thus, it is one of the most dangerous mosquitoes.…”

Molecular Epidemiology, Evolution and Reemergence of Chikungunya Virus in South Asia

“…The virus also replicates inside newly infected person body ( Silva and Dermody, 2017 ). If another uninfected mosquito bite the newly infected person after he has become viremic, the mosquito will take in CHIKV and start another cycle ( Silva et al, 2018 ; Onyango et al, 2020 ). The complete transmission cycle from human to mosquito and back to humans can be completed within a week ( Diallo et al, 1999 ).…”

“…To understand the complete epidemiological prospects of CHIKV burden in South Asian countries, studies on the clinical manifestations in patients infected with CHIKV are required. Generally, the incubation period of CHIKV in human ranges from 3 days to 7 days ( Munasinghe et al, 1966 ; Powers and Logue, 2007 ; Staples et al, 2009 ; Onyango et al, 2020 ). Most of the studies on CHIKV infection clinical presentation reported that about 70–93% of the patients develop symptoms, 3–25% seropositive patients may be asymptomatic, and 2–7% patients may develop atypical symptoms ( Powers and Logue, 2007 ; Staples et al, 2009 ; Silva et al, 2018 ; Suhrbier, 2019 ; Wimalasiri-Yapa et al, 2019 ).…”

Ticks: More Than Just a Pathogen Delivery Service

“…Likewise, vector-borne pathogens rely on these molecules for transmission and establishment of infection. Several studies have shown that vector transmission promotes pathogen infection and intensifies disease severity ( Grasperge et al, 2014 ; Pingen et al, 2016 ; Onyango et al, 2020 ; Karim et al, 2021 ). This phenomenon is well-known and referred to as saliva-assisted transmission ( Nuttall, 2019 ; Oliva Chavez, 2021 ).…”