Doctors Say Mosquitoes Do Play Favorites; Here's Why some People Are More Likely to Be Bitten
Researchers found three mosquito species favored different volunteers, and attraction was tied to skin odors and microbiome differences, the study said.
- Florida International University researchers recruited 119 volunteers from Miami to test why mosquitoes are more attracted to some people than others. The study used an olfactometer to examine three mosquito species' responses to individual participants.
- Mosquitoes remain the world's deadliest animal, causing over 1 million human deaths annually through diseases including West Nile virus. Understanding their attraction mechanisms is critical for developing strategies to reduce this significant public health threat.
- Matthew DeGennaro's team identified 246 distinct bacterial taxa across participants, discovering three specific bacteria—including Staphylococcus epidermidis—were consistently popular with mosquitoes. These microbes may signal the presence of an attractive host.
- While Aedes and Culex species displayed varying preferences, DeGennaro explained that clear connections exist between human skin microbes and odors when mosquitoes target individuals. Researchers found each species preferred different cohorts of people.
- Insights into how volatile organic compounds influence attraction could enable development of specialized insect repellents. Scientists may eventually engineer skin microbiomes to make people less attractive to mosquitoes.
26 Articles
26 Articles
Different types of mosquito bite people differently. Anyone who is considered to be a mosquito magnet could open up new paths in the fight against mosquito diseases.
A new study shows that every mosquito species prefers a different type of human being. What role skin odor and microbiome play in this – and what this means for the fight against communicable diseases.
An experiment for hard scaffolds: Researchers convinced study participants to be bitten voluntarily by mosquitoes. Those who were stabbed the most determined above all a factor.
Some people are more attractive to certain mosquito species than others. A study from the USA has shown this in experiments with three different mosquito species.
The Independent
The Independent (US)Why do I get bitten by mosquitoes but others don’t? Here’s what a new study says
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 53% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
