PubMed · 2026-06-02
How well a biting insect transmits disease may depend on how similar its gut microbiome is to the host it feeds on. When host and vector share microbial communities, immune molecules the vector ingests during feeding can disrupt its own gut defenses, making it easier or harder for pathogens to establish. This framework could explain why disease transmission varies so much across populations and environments.
Host-derived immune effectors ingested during blood feeding can disrupt the vector's gut colonization resistance, influencing pathogen establishment
Microbiome similarity between host and vector predicts the magnitude of this immune-mediated disruption, not just pathogen load or climate alone
The effect is context-dependent and bidirectional: greater similarity may either enhance or suppress transmission depending on the system