Infochemicals in mosquito host selection: Human skin microflora and Plasmodium parasites

The interaction between the African malaria vector Anopheles gambiae and it s human host has traditionally been viewed within a bitrophic context, cons idering only the human and the mosquito. Recently, the influence of the Pla smodium 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 int o consideration. Human skin microflora play it role in the production of od orous compounds that might function as kairomones for mosquitoes. Here, Mar ieta Braks, Rob Anderson and Bart Knols introduce the role of human microfl ora into the process of odour-mediated host selection and review the intera ction in a multipartite context so as to identify research avenues that wil l enhance our limited knowledge of this aspect of malaria transmission.