Vector-borne diseases are a significant global health challenge, accounting for approximately 17% of the estimated global burden of infectious diseases and causing over 700,000 deaths each year. Despite being traditionally more prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, they have spread to new areas in the past decade. They are caused by parasites, bacteria, or viruses transmitted to humans and other vertebrates by the bite of infected blood-feeding arthropods, such as mosquitoes, ticks, and sandflies. Several factors can influence the transmission patterns of the pathogens and the outcome of the infections, either in the invertebrate or in the vertebrate host. Recent studies on microbiome manipulation and its impact on host immune responses have influenced disease outcomes. Research on host-microbiome interactions is an emerging field that will significantly improve our understanding of host-pathogen dynamics and disease susceptibility, contributing to the development of new strategies to control these diseases.
The microbiome has emerged as an important factor influencing host-pathogen interactions in vector-borne diseases. In this collection, we aim to bring together several research fields to advance knowledge on the role of arthropod and vertebrates’ host microbiomes at the various levels of their interaction, ranging from disease pathogenesis to potential therapeutic approaches.
In this Research Topic, we would like to further explore the role of the microbiome in:
a) pathogen development and transmission,
b) host immune response and pathogen virulence
c) disease prevention and treatment.
These issues can be addressed both from basic research using experimental models or through translational research based on direct observations in endemic regions. New methodologies exploring these questions are welcome, including recent AI-based technologies. We encourage multidisciplinary submissions to foster a holistic understanding of these complex and dynamic interactions.
We welcome Original Research, Mini Review, and Review articles focusing on, but not limited to, the following themes:
1. Crosstalk between Microbiome and Arthropod Hosts: Pathogen Development and Transmission;
2. Role of vertebrate Microbiome in immune responses to pathogens and its virulence;
3. Microbiome and Disease Outcomes in Endemic Regions;
4. Impact of Microbiome on Prevention and Treatment Efficacy;
5. Microbiome-based interventions;
6. Advanced Research Methods and AI-based Technologies
Keywords:
Vector-borne diseases, Microbiome, Immune Response, Malaria, Leishmaniasis, Sleeping Sickness, American trypanosomiasis, Flaviviruses, Dengue, Zika, Yellow Fever, Infectious diseases, Virulence, Pathogen development, Transmission, Microbiota, Endemic regions
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.
Vector-borne diseases are a significant global health challenge, accounting for approximately 17% of the estimated global burden of infectious diseases and causing over 700,000 deaths each year. Despite being traditionally more prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, they have spread to new areas in the past decade. They are caused by parasites, bacteria, or viruses transmitted to humans and other vertebrates by the bite of infected blood-feeding arthropods, such as mosquitoes, ticks, and sandflies. Several factors can influence the transmission patterns of the pathogens and the outcome of the infections, either in the invertebrate or in the vertebrate host. Recent studies on microbiome manipulation and its impact on host immune responses have influenced disease outcomes. Research on host-microbiome interactions is an emerging field that will significantly improve our understanding of host-pathogen dynamics and disease susceptibility, contributing to the development of new strategies to control these diseases.
The microbiome has emerged as an important factor influencing host-pathogen interactions in vector-borne diseases. In this collection, we aim to bring together several research fields to advance knowledge on the role of arthropod and vertebrates’ host microbiomes at the various levels of their interaction, ranging from disease pathogenesis to potential therapeutic approaches.
In this Research Topic, we would like to further explore the role of the microbiome in:
a) pathogen development and transmission,
b) host immune response and pathogen virulence
c) disease prevention and treatment.
These issues can be addressed both from basic research using experimental models or through translational research based on direct observations in endemic regions. New methodologies exploring these questions are welcome, including recent AI-based technologies. We encourage multidisciplinary submissions to foster a holistic understanding of these complex and dynamic interactions.
We welcome Original Research, Mini Review, and Review articles focusing on, but not limited to, the following themes:
1. Crosstalk between Microbiome and Arthropod Hosts: Pathogen Development and Transmission;
2. Role of vertebrate Microbiome in immune responses to pathogens and its virulence;
3. Microbiome and Disease Outcomes in Endemic Regions;
4. Impact of Microbiome on Prevention and Treatment Efficacy;
5. Microbiome-based interventions;
6. Advanced Research Methods and AI-based Technologies
Keywords:
Vector-borne diseases, Microbiome, Immune Response, Malaria, Leishmaniasis, Sleeping Sickness, American trypanosomiasis, Flaviviruses, Dengue, Zika, Yellow Fever, Infectious diseases, Virulence, Pathogen development, Transmission, Microbiota, Endemic regions
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.