Exploring the gut micriobiome in Anopheles mosquitoes: A promising new approach to malaria control

Malaria continues to pose significant public health issues globally. This disease is primarily spread through the bites of female Anopheles mosquitoes that are infected with the Plasmodium parasites. While conventional vector control strategies such as insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS) have significantly reduced malaria burden, their long-term effectiveness is increasingly compromised by widespread insecticide resistance. Recent research has proposed manipulation of the Anopheles gut microbiome as a complementary malaria control strategy; however, the strength, consistency, and translational relevance of this evidence remain uneven. This review goes beyond descriptive synthesis by critically evaluating experimental approaches, identifying methodological limitations, highlighting contradictory findings, and assessing the robustness of current knowledge on mosquito microbiome Plasmodium interactions. We examine bacterial, fungal, and viral components of the Anopheles gut microbiome, emphasizing mechanisms such as immune modulation, nutrient competition, direct antiparasitic activity, and interference with mosquito physiology to inhibit pathogen transmission. Importantly, we identify key caveats, including laboratory bias, oversimplification of microbial consortia, context-dependent outcomes, and ecological uncertainties that challenge the deployment of microbiome-based interventions in the field. By integrating strengths and weaknesses of existing studies, this review provides a balanced and critical framework for future research and responsible translation of microbiome-based malaria control strategies. • Malaria control efforts are increasingly challenged by rising insecticide resistance in Anopheles mosquito vectors. • The Anopheles gut microbiome is a diverse community of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other symbionts that influence mosquito physiology and vector competence. • Specific gut microbes can inhibit Plasmodium development by competing for nutrients, producing antiparasitic compounds, or modulating mosquito immune responses. • Manipulating the gut microbiome presents a promising novel strategy for reducing malaria transmission, including approaches such as symbiont augmentation and paratransgenesis. • Advancements in metagenomics and microbial engineering are accelerating the development of microbiome-based malaria control tools.