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Published on: July 4, 2007
Host location by arthropod vectors: are microorganisms in control?
Mitchel E Bourne1, Dani Lucas-Barbosa2, Niels O Verhulst1
1National Centre for Vector Entomology, Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse and Medical Faculty, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 266A, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland.
Abstract:
Vector-borne microorganisms are dependent on their arthropod vector for their transmission to and from vertebrates. The 'parasite manipulation hypothesis' states that microorganisms are likely to evolve manipulations of such interactions for their own selective benefit. Recent breakthroughs uncovered novel ecological interactions initiated by vector-borne microorganisms, which are linked to different stages of the host location by their arthropod vectors. Therefore, we give an actualised overview of the various means through which vector-borne microorganisms impact their vertebrate and arthropod hosts to ultimately benefit their own transmission. Harnessing the directionality and underlying mechanisms of these interactions driven by vector-borne microorganisms may provide tools to reduce the spread of pathogenic vector-borne microorganisms.
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