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The complexities of blood‐feeding patterns in mosquitoes and sandflies and the burden of disease: A minireview
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Mustapha Touray
Veterinary Medicine and Science, Volume: 10, Issue: 5
Swansea University Author:
Mustapha Touray
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© 2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License.
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DOI (Published version): 10.1002/vms3.1580
Abstract
Mosquitoes and sandflies exhibit a wide range of blood feeding patterns, targeting a wide range of vertebrate species, including birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians, for proteins vital for egg development. This broad host range increases the opportunity for them to acquire pathogens of numerous...
| Published in: | Veterinary Medicine and Science |
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| ISSN: | 2053-1095 2053-1095 |
| Published: |
Wiley
2024
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| Online Access: |
Check full text
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa69465 |
| Abstract: |
Mosquitoes and sandflies exhibit a wide range of blood feeding patterns, targeting a wide range of vertebrate species, including birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians, for proteins vital for egg development. This broad host range increases the opportunity for them to acquire pathogens of numerous debilitating-and-fatal diseases from various animal reservoirs, playing a significant role in disease crossover between animals and humans, also known as zoonotic transmission. This review focuses on the intricate blood-feeding habits of these dipteran vectors, their sensory systems and the complex dance between host and pathogen during disease transmission. We delve into the influence of blood sources on pathogen spread by examining the insect immune response and its intricate interplay with pathogens. The remarkable sense of smell guiding them towards food sources and hosts is explored, highlighting the interplay of multiple sensory cues in their navigation. Finally, we examine the challenges in mosquito control strategies and explore innovations in this field, emphasizing the need for sustainable solutions to combat this global health threat. By understanding the biology and behaviour of these insects, we can develop more effective strategies to protect ourselves and mitigate the burden of vector-borne diseases. |
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| Keywords: |
blood feeding; diptera; hematophagy; mosquitoes sandfly vector |
| College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |
| Funders: |
The authors would like to thank Aydin Adnan Menderes University BAP for funding their studies. Open access funding provided by the TÜBİTAK ULAKBIM. |
| Issue: |
5 |