An Overview on the Impact of Microbiota on Malaria Transmission and Severity: Plasmodium-Vector-Host Axis

Purpose: Malaria, which is a vector-borne disease caused by Plasmodium sp., continue to become a serious threat, causing more than 600,000 deaths annually, especially in developing countries. Due to the lack of a long-term, and effective vaccine, and an increasing resistance to antimalarials, new strategies are needed for prevention and treatment of malaria. Recently, the impact of microbiota on development and transmission of Plasmodium, and the severity of malaria has only begun to emerge, although its contribution to homeostasis and a wide variety of disorders is well-understood. Further evidence has shown that microbiota of both mosquito and human host play important roles in transmission, progression, and clearance of Plasmodium infection. Furthermore, Plasmodium can cause significant alterations in the host and mosquito gut microbiota, affecting the clinical outcome of malaria.

Methodology: In this review, we attempt to summarize results from published studies on the influence of the host microbiota on the outcome of Plasmodium infections in both arthropods and mammalian hosts.

Conclusion: Modifications of microbiota may be an important potential strategy in blocking Plasmodium transmission in vectors and in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of malaria in humans in the future.