Identification of Vector Organisms and Their Carried Pathogens by Metagenomic Sequencing

Abstract

Vector surveillance is vital for public health, yet traditional methods often face limitations. This study assessed the use of metagenomic sequencing for analyzing mosquitoes, cockroaches, flies, and rodents from Zhongshan, China. The results revealed a high concordance between metagenomic and Sanger sequencing for species identification (Kappa = 0.667, P = 0.011). Metagenomic analysis identified vector-specific dominant bacteria, including Wolbachia in mosquitoes, Blattabacterium sp. in cockroaches, Bartonella tribocorum and Leptospira interrogans in rodents, and Vagococcus teuberi in flies. It also detected numerous classical pathogens, such as Enterococcus faecalis, L. interrogans, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Among the identified fungi and viruses, 19 were human pathogens, while seven posed a threat to agriculture, notably Pepper mild mottle virus and Tomato brown rugose fruit virus. These findings systematically characterize the microbial communities associated with various vectors, highlight the potential of metagenomics for broad pathogen screening, and underscore its utility in large-scale vector surveillance and public health protection. ImportanceVectors are major carriers of numerous diseases and present risks fot cross-border transmission. Existing detection methods for vectors and their pathogens remain inefficient, insensitive, and prone to difficulties in species identification. Despite extensive efforts in vector identification, the potential threats posed by their associated pathogens remain unclear, demonstrating the need for more effective diagnostic strategies. Metagenomic sequencing offers a promising solution to this challenge. In this study, we applied metagenomic sequencing to vectors collected from urban and port areas in Zhongshan, China, to evaluate its efficacy in pathogen detection. Overall, our work contributes to a better understanding of the public health risks posed by vector-borne pathogens.