Compositions and related methods for controlling vector-borne diseases

Abstract

Provided herein are methods and compositions useful for human health, e.g., for targeting one or more microorganisms resident in a host insect (e.g., arthropod, e.g., insect, e.g., pathogen vector), the modulation resulting in a decrease in the fitness of the host. The invention features a composition that includes a modulating agent (e.g., phage, peptide, small molecule, antibiotic, or combinations thereof) that can alter the host's microbiota in a manner that is detrimental to the host. By disrupting microbial levels, microbial activity, microbial metabolism, or microbial diversity, the modulating agent described herein may be used to decrease the fitness of a variety of insects that carry vector-bore pathogens that cause disease in humans.

1 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A method of decreasing fitness of an insect vector for a human pathogen, comprising: delivering to the insect vector a composition comprising a first agent, wherein the first agent is an antibiotic that targets a microorganism resident in the insect vector in a manner that results in a decrease in fitness of the insect vector. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the microorganism is an obligate symbiont of the insect vector. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the antibiotic is chosen from oxytetracycline, rifampicin, ciprofloxacin, doxycycline, ampicillin, polymyxin B, timentin, and azithromycin. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the antibiotic is chosen from oxytetracycline, rifampicin, ciprofloxacin, doxycycline, ampicillin, polymyxin B, timentin, and azithromycin. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the composition comprises a first agent and a second agent. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein targeting comprises altering at least one of a level, activity, or metabolism of the microorganism. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein delivering comprises providing the composition to at least one habitat where the insect vector grows, lives, reproduces, feeds, or infests. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein delivering comprises spraying. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the composition is formulated as an insect comestible composition for ingestion by the insect vector. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the insect vector is a mosquito. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the antibiotic is azithromycin. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the antibiotic is doxycycline. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the insect vector is a tick. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the antibiotic is oxytetracycline.