Microbiome in Parasite-Vector-Host Dynamics: Implications for Disease Control

Investigating the tri-partite interactions between parasites, their vectors, and mammalian hosts has offered many insights that contribute to disease control, prevention, and treatment strategies. Their respective microbiomes are also emerging as an additional but often-hidden factor influencing their fitness, vectorial capacity, and disease phenotypes.

For example, infections with helminth parasites are now known to affect the host gut microbiome and metabolism in a parasite-specific manner. The study of symbionts and other microbiome components in vectors such as mosquitoes and ticks, and their effects on pathogen-carrying capacities is being utilized to devise microbiome manipulation as a strategy for biocontrol and vaccine development. Unbiased characterization of the microbiomes of vectors such as ticks, fleas, and chiggers is now revealing the full spectrum of potentially pathogenic microbes they can carry and transmit.
Many disease vectors are expanding in their geographical and seasonal range due to climate change and urban development, but the corresponding effects on their microbiomes are only beginning to be investigated. A comprehensive understanding of the dynamics involving parasites, hosts, and vectors and their microbiomes is essential for improving and safeguarding human and animal health. Rapid advances in technologies as well as conceptual frameworks are required to enable discoveries on the multi-faceted roles of microbiomes in this web of interactions.

This research topic aims to elucidate the complex interactions between parasites, their vectors, and hosts through the lens of their microbiomes. By addressing specific questions such as how parasite infections alter host microbiomes, how pathogen infestations impact vector microbiomes, and the role of tissue-specific microbiomes, this research seeks to uncover the underlying mechanisms that influence disease dynamics. Hypotheses to be tested include the potential for microbiome manipulation to serve as a strategy for vector biocontrol and disease prevention, as well as the identification of microbiome components that contribute to susceptibility to parasite infections.

To gather further insights into the intricate relationships between parasites, vectors, and hosts, we welcome original research, as well as review articles addressing, but not limited to, the following sub-themes:

- Effects of parasite infections on host microbiomes.

- Effect of pathogen infestation on microbiome of vectors.

- Tissue-specific microbiomes and their dynamics.

- Microbiome manipulation strategies for vector biocontrol, disease prevention, and therapeutics development.

- The role of microbiomes in influencing susceptibility to parasite infection.

- Tools and technologies for capturing various components of microbiomes including symbionts, other bacteria,
viruses, archaea, and eukaryotes.

- Characterization of parasites’ microbiome.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Microbiome, Parasites, Vectors, Hosts, Symbionts, Pathogens, Ectoparasites, Vector-borne Diseases

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.