Three reasons why expanded use of natural enemy solutions may offer sustainable control of human infections

Abstract

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Temperature affects predation of schistosome-competent snails by a novel invader, the marbled crayfish Procambarus virginalis

“…Drawing upon examples of non-native crayfish, the impact of a non-native species on ecosystems may vary considerably and is probably species-specific and context-dependent [ 120 – 123 ]—thus limiting our ability to make broad predictions regarding the multi-faceted impacts of invasive species on biodiversity and ecosystem services, including the regulation of disease agents. In general, existing evidence of the positive impact of natural enemies on human diseases is exceedingly rare, as are empirical investigations linking species interactions within the environment to outcomes of human disease [reviewed in 2 ].…”

“…The human burden of environmentally transmitted infectious diseases depends strongly on ecological factors [ 1 ], such as the presence of natural enemies [ 2 ]. As antagonistic interactors that regulate the transmission of infectious disease, natural enemies can potentially include predators, competitors, or parasites of reservoir hosts or of the disease agent itself [ 2 , 3 ]. However, evidence for disease transmission regulation by natural enemies is sparse, and generalities regarding the influence of these antagonists remain elusive [ 4 , 5 ].…”

“…While some introductions of non-native enemies in previous disease control efforts have resulted in unanticipated negative consequences [2], introduced species have also been used with success to reduce the abundance of zoonotic reservoirs of disease and of human disease burden [10,41,42]-representing a potential benefit of non-native species [43]. Regarding schistosomiasis, the abundance of the invasive red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) was significantly correlated with the disappearance of snails in Egyptian irrigation channels [41], and an established population of P. clarkii reduced snail abundance in Kenya [42].…”

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“…Chemical control should be applied only in emergencies because of the increased control cost and the negative environmental effect. To overcome this problem, it is necessary to look for alternative control methods, for example, by using resistant cultivars to pest attack (Wani et al, 2022), organic pesticides (Ekawati and Purwanto, 2013;Ikhwan et al, 2021;Roeswitawati et al, 2021), and pests' natural enemies in the form of insect pathogens (Jones et al, 2022). Radhakrishnan et al (2015) stated that low-input or chemical-free pest control is particularly suitable for cassava, as it is grown by smallholders throughout resource-poor tropical developing countries on small plots or degraded land.…”

Green Nano‐Biotechnology: A New Sustainable Paradigm to Control Dengue Infection

“…In the age of emerging and reemerging pathogens, resistant bugs, deadly cancers, and neglected tropical diseases like dengue necessitate the need of holistic approaches to foster health and well-being [1][2][3][4]. In this regard, the mosquitoborne diseases got immense signi cance as mosquitoes serve as a vector for various deadly infections like yellow fever, malaria, lariasis, dengue, etc.…”