Infochemicals in Mosquito Host Selection: Human Skin Microflora and Plasmodium Parasites

• Published in: Parasitology Today Vol. 15; no. 10; pp. 409 - 413
• Main Authors: Braks, M.A.H., Anderson, R.A., Knols, B.G.J.
• Format: Book Review Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier B.V 01-10-1999; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animals; Anopheles gambiae; Biological and medical sciences; Corynebacterium - physiology; Culicidae; Culicidae - parasitology; Disease Vectors; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Host odour; Host selection; Host-Parasite Interactions; Human skin microflora; Humans; Malaria; Malaria - parasitology; Medically important nuisances and vectors, pests of stored products and materials: population survey and control; Micrococcaceae - physiology; Mosquito; Pheromones - physiology; Plasmodium; Plasmodium - physiology; Skin - microbiology; Skin - parasitology; Vectors. Intermediate hosts; Host selection; Plasmodium; Parasitology; Malaria; Human skin microflora; Mosquito; Ecology; Host odour; Parasitic behavior; Human; Protozoa; Host parasite relation; Apicomplexa; Protozoal disease; Insecta; Microflora; Review; Parasitosis; Kairomone; Infection; Anopheles gambiae; Arthropoda; Culicidae; Skin; Invertebrata; Vector; Diptera
• ISSN: 0169-4758; 1873-1473
• DOI: 10.1016/S0169-4758(99)01514-8

The interaction between the African malaria vector Anopheles gambiae and its human host has traditionally been viewed within a bitrophic context, considering only the human and the mosquito. Recently, the influence of the Plasmodium parasite on the interaction has been recognized, because it affects the physiology and/or behaviour of humans and mosquitoes. However, studies on odour-mediated host-seeking behaviour of An. gambiae and other Diptera have provided evidence that a fourth group of organisms should be taken into consideration. Human skin microflora play a role in the production of odorous compounds that might function as kairomones for mosquitoes. Here, Marieta Braks, Rob Anderson and Bart Knols introduce the role of human microflora into the process of odour-mediated host selection and review the interaction in a multipartite context so as to identify research avenues that will enhance our limited knowledge of this aspect of malaria transmission.