Biting Realities: Culicidae’s Role in The Transmission of Bloodborne Pathogens

Mosquitoes (family Culicidae) are established vectors for many infectious agents, including arboviruses and protozoan parasites. The transmission of bloodborne viruses like the hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) by mosquitoes has been less studied than that of other agents. This study aimed to assess the potential association between mosquito exposure and seroprevalence of selected virological markers—HBsAg, HCV Ab, and HIV Ab—among individuals recently bitten by mosquitoes. was not statistically significant when compared to the unexposed population, it does indicate that there were some underlying HBsAg and HCV infections in the mosquito-exposed population and no detectable infection in the unexposed. More epidemiological studies are warranted to improve understanding of the potential infectious nature of mosquito exposure. This occupational and social health approach of uncovering knowledge about disease among mosquito exposed population is warranted for researchers to improve knowledge and health, based on mutual agreement. For the study design, social and occupational approaches require blended methodologies, a rigorous approach, and the collaboration of public health researchers. Raises initial questions about possible environmental or vector-related risks, although results were not statistically significant and cannot demonstrate causality. Findings suggest the need for larger, longitudinal studies including viral load quantification and molecular typing to assess whether mosquito exposure is associated with blood-borne viral infections in particular ecological circumstances. The current findings can be interpreted at face value as hypothesis-generating, and yet, contribute additional knowledge towards interdisciplinary concepts of unconventional transmission pathways for blood-borne pathogens - a field in need of more research.