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<p>Malaria remains a leading cause of mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. Traditional vector control strategies face challenges from insecticide resistance and climate-related environmental changes. The <i>Anopheles gambiae</i> microbiome can influence <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> transmission; however, the environmental stressors that may disrupt this microbial ecosystem have not been systematically integrated into public health frameworks. This systematic review followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines and was conducted across three databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science) from January 2020 to February 2026. The search strategy combined terms for <i>Anopheles</i> vectors, microbiome composition, environmental stressors (glyphosate, heavy metals, microplastics, temperature), and transmission outcomes. Quality assessment was performed using SYRCLE’s Risk of Bias tool for animal studies, and evidence was classified as “moderate” (≥ 3 independent studies with field validation and &gt; 75% consistency) or “emerging” (laboratory evidence from ≤ 2 studies or lacking field validation). Of the 847 initial records, 47 studies met the inclusion criteria examining anthropogenic environmental stressors as drivers of microbiome dysbiosis in <i>Anopheles gambiae</i>. Laboratory evidence indicates that glyphosate inhibits beneficial symbionts (<i>Asaia</i>, <i>Lactobacillus</i>), increasing midgut alkalinity and enhancing <i>Plasmodium</i> susceptibility two- to four-fold. Heavy metals have been shown to co-select for insecticide resistance genes, suggesting a possible association between pollution and vector control failure based on field studies from multiple African sites. Microplastic effects remain primarily derived from <i>Aedes</i> models and require direct validation in <i>Anopheles</i>. Field validation from Cameroon confirms glyphosate-associated microbiome alterations and enhanced infection, providing preliminary evidence that requires replication across diverse ecological contexts. These effects operate across One Health domains, yet current surveillance systems capture none. A One Health approach that incorporates the vector microbiome may improve malaria prediction and prevention. However, causal inferences remain limited by the predominance of laboratory-based studies, and the proposed Microbial Sentinel Surveillance framework requires validation through longitudinal field studies before operational deployment.</p>

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The Invisible Intermediary: Environmental Drivers of the Anopheles Microbiome in Malaria Transmission

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年6月29日

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  • Daniel Thakuma Tizhe,
  • Israel Ogwuche Ogra,
  • Jacob Kwada Paghi Kwaga,
  • Grace Sabo Nok Kia,
  • Ja’afar Nuhu Ja’afar

摘要

Malaria remains a leading cause of mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. Traditional vector control strategies face challenges from insecticide resistance and climate-related environmental changes. The Anopheles gambiae microbiome can influence Plasmodium falciparum transmission; however, the environmental stressors that may disrupt this microbial ecosystem have not been systematically integrated into public health frameworks. This systematic review followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines and was conducted across three databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science) from January 2020 to February 2026. The search strategy combined terms for Anopheles vectors, microbiome composition, environmental stressors (glyphosate, heavy metals, microplastics, temperature), and transmission outcomes. Quality assessment was performed using SYRCLE’s Risk of Bias tool for animal studies, and evidence was classified as “moderate” (≥ 3 independent studies with field validation and > 75% consistency) or “emerging” (laboratory evidence from ≤ 2 studies or lacking field validation). Of the 847 initial records, 47 studies met the inclusion criteria examining anthropogenic environmental stressors as drivers of microbiome dysbiosis in Anopheles gambiae. Laboratory evidence indicates that glyphosate inhibits beneficial symbionts (Asaia, Lactobacillus), increasing midgut alkalinity and enhancing Plasmodium susceptibility two- to four-fold. Heavy metals have been shown to co-select for insecticide resistance genes, suggesting a possible association between pollution and vector control failure based on field studies from multiple African sites. Microplastic effects remain primarily derived from Aedes models and require direct validation in Anopheles. Field validation from Cameroon confirms glyphosate-associated microbiome alterations and enhanced infection, providing preliminary evidence that requires replication across diverse ecological contexts. These effects operate across One Health domains, yet current surveillance systems capture none. A One Health approach that incorporates the vector microbiome may improve malaria prediction and prevention. However, causal inferences remain limited by the predominance of laboratory-based studies, and the proposed Microbial Sentinel Surveillance framework requires validation through longitudinal field studies before operational deployment.