Biotechnological Potential of Microorganisms for Mosquito Population Control and Reduction in Vector Competence

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Mosquitoes carry pathogens that can cause diseases like malaria, dengue fever, chikungunya, yellow fever, and Zika fever, causing more than 700,000 deaths each year around the world. Chemical insecticides kill mosquitoes effectively, minimizing the spread of illnesses. However, these chemicals have disadvantages such as high production costs and negative impacts on the environment and other organisms, including humans. Furthermore, mosquitoes are becoming more resistant to chemical insecticides. Therefore, alternatives to commonly used insecticides are urgently required. In this review, we highlight the biotechnological potential of microorganisms to control vector mosquitoes and reduce disease transmission. In addition, we emphasize the importance of more basic research and improved translational research methods to bridge the gap between academic research on bioinsecticides and public health interventions. ABSTRACT: Mosquitoes transmit pathogens that cause human diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, chikungunya, yellow fever, Zika fever, and filariasis. Biotechnological approaches using microorganisms have a significant potential to control mosquito populations and reduce their vector competence, making them alternatives to synthetic insecticides. Ongoing research has identified many microorganisms that can be used effectively to control mosquito populations and disease transmission. However, the successful implementation of these newly proposed approaches requires a thorough understanding of the multipronged microorganism–mosquito–pathogen–environment interactions. Although much has been achieved in discovering new entomopathogenic microorganisms, antipathogen compounds, and their mechanisms of action, only a few have been turned into viable products for mosquito control. There is a discrepancy between the number of microorganisms with the potential for the development of new insecticides and/or antipathogen products and the actual available products, highlighting the need for investments in the intersection of basic research and biotechnology.