Vector Microbiomes and Pathogen Transmission: Exploring New Frontiers in Tick- and Mosquito-Borne Disease Control

Mosquitoes and ticks, as the most representative vector organisms globally, transmit the majority of vector-borne diseases, presenting a central challenge to public health. In recent years, research on their microbiomes has garnered significant attention. These endosymbiotic microbial communities, comprising bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms, serve as critical factors influencing vector environmental adaptation, physiology, metabolism, and pathogen transmission capacity. However, significant gaps remain in our understanding of the pathogens (including bacteria, viruses, and protozoa) carried by mosquitoes and ticks, particularly concerning their epidemiological characteristics, genetic diversity, and spatial distribution. Furthermore, the complex interaction networks between endosymbionts and pathogens, as well as the dynamic transmission and pathogenic mechanisms of pathogens within their vector hosts, remain at the forefront of current research.

This study aims to systematically elucidate the structure, dynamics, and functions of tick and mosquito microbiomes, as well as their impact on vector physiology and pathogen transmission capacity. It also seeks to characterize the epidemiology, transmission patterns, and multi-pathogen co-infection features of the pathogens they carry, while further unraveling the complex interaction mechanisms among vectors, microbes, and pathogens.

The topic welcomes submission of Original Research, Review, Mini Review, Hypothesis and Theory, Opinion and Perspective focusing on:
1. Structure and dynamics of vector microbiomes and their impact on transmission competence
2. Response of microbial communities to physiological processes such as blood feeding and their modulation of host physiology and metabolism
3. Epidemiology, evolution, and diversity of vector-borne pathogens
4. Influence of ecological, environmental, and host factors on vector populations and disease transmission dynamics
5. Microbiome-vector-pathogen interaction mechanisms
6. Sustainable control strategies based on microbiomes and endosymbionts
7. Innovative surveillance and diagnostic technologies for vector-borne diseases

Article types and fees

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

• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• ... 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:

• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: mosquito and tick microbiomes, mosquito- and tick-borne pathogens, vector-borne diseases, epidemiology, host-pathogen-microbiome interactions, phylogenetics

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.