Metabolomics in arbovirus research: A scientometric analysis of its scientific production, collaboration networks, and thematic evolution

Objective. Metabolomics is increasingly used to characterize host-virus interactions, metabolic remodeling linked to viral pathogenesis, and vector biology that shapes arbovirus transmission. However, research at the arbovirus-metabolomics interface is fragmented across viruses, hosts, vectors, analytical platforms, and disciplinary communities, which limits a consolidated understanding. To summarize the available literature on this topic, we conducted a scientometric review using Web of Science and Scopus. Design/Methodology/Approach. We retrieved records and cited references from 2000 to 2024 and curated them using transparent deduplication and data-cleaning procedures. We quantified production and impact (e.g., annual output, citations), mapped geographic and journal landscapes, and built co-authorship, co-citation, and keyword co-occurrence networks. Community detection and thematic evolution analyses were complemented by a Tree of Science approach to prioritize seminal, structural, and frontier literature for qualitative synthesis (60 articles). Results/Discussion. Our findings indicate that the field exhibits sustained growth and a multi-community structure. Activity is concentrated in the United States, Brazil, and France, with core venues spanning virology, tropical medicine, and multidisciplinary journals. Three dominant thematic clusters emerged: (1) host metabolic remodeling and immunometabolism during arboviral infection, (2) vector metabolism and microbiome-related mechanisms that influence transmission, and (3) translational directions, including biomarker discovery, therapeutic target identification, and multi-omics integration. Conclusions. While recent work emphasizes lipidomics, multi-omics, and single-cell approaches, as well as vector-microbiome interactions, gaps persist in standardization and cross-study comparability.This mapping clarifies the intellectual structure of arbovirus metabolomics, identifies influential figures and outlets, and outlines priorities to improve reproducibility and integrative synthesis.