Differential attraction in mosquito-human interactions and implications for disease control

Abstract

Mosquito-borne diseases are a major burden on human health worldwide and their eradication through vector control methods remains challenging. In particular, the success of vector control interventions for targeting diseases such as malaria is under threat, in part due to the evolution of insecticide resistance, while for other diseases effective control solutions are still lacking. The rate at which mosquitoes encounter and bite humans is a key determinant of their capacity for disease transmission. Future progress is strongly reliant on improving our understanding of the mechanisms leading to a mosquito bite. Here, we review the biological factors known to influence the attractiveness of mosquitoes to humans, such as body odour, the skin microbiome, genetics and infection by parasites. We identify the knowledge gaps around the relative contribution of each factor, and the potential links between them, as well as the role of natural selection in shaping vector-host-parasite interactions. Finally, we argue that addressing these questions will contribute to improving current tools and the development of novel interventions for the future. This article is part of the theme issue 'Novel control strategies for mosquito-borne diseases'.

Keywords: attractiveness to mosquitoes; human host; malaria parasites; skin microbiome.

Figure 1.

Potential factors affecting human attractiveness and mosquito feeding behaviour.

Figure 2.

Potential role of interactions between genetic and environmental factors. (a) Where there is no G × E interaction, a given host genotype is expected to remain less attractive than another host genotype independent of Plasmodium infection, pregnancy or development stage. If there is G × E interaction, the relative attraction may be reversed. (b) G × G interaction could also lead to changes in relative attraction depending on the genotypes of the host and mosquito. (Online version in colour.)