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Cellular and molecular mechanisms of DEET toxicity and disease-carrying insect vectors: a review

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Abstract

Background

Several insects such as mosquitoes, flies, ticks, fleas, lice, and mites are known to serve as vectors for a vast number of pathogens. Many such vectors are hematophagous, and therefore introduce pathogens directly into the host’s bloodstream. Importantly, the capacity of these vectors to spread disease can lead to serious global health crises. Furthermore, crop damage can be exacerbated by pathogen infection and increased insect foraging due to recent global warming.

Methods

Our study categorized insect-associated damage into three groups: animal infection, plant infection, and direct crop damage due to insect foraging. To manage these problems, insect repellents and pesticides have been developed, among which DEET is the most broadly used and studied pest control agent. This review discusses the mode of action and possible mechanisms of DEET action, including olfactory and gustatory mechanisms and central nervous system impairment.

Conclusion

To protect humans from malaria, yellow fever, dengue fever, zika, and filariasis, as well as to reduce economic losses associated with crop damage, considerably more efforts are needed to characterize the interactions between insects and insect repellents/pesticides to develop more potent pest control agents.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by Grants to Y. L. from the Basic Science Research Program of the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education (NRF-2018R1A2B6004202). B.S. was supported by the Global Scholarship Program for Foreign Graduate Students at Kookmin University in Korea.

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  1. Interdisciplinary Program for Bio-Health Convergence, Kookmin University, 77, Jeongneung-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02707, Republic of Korea

    Bhanu Shrestha & Youngseok Lee

  2. Department of Bio and Fermentation Convergence Technology, BK21 PLUS Project, Kookmin University, Seoul, 02707, Republic of Korea

    Bhanu Shrestha & Youngseok Lee

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  1. Bhanu Shrestha
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  2. Youngseok Lee
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YL and BS designed and wrote the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Youngseok Lee.

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Shrestha, B., Lee, Y. Cellular and molecular mechanisms of DEET toxicity and disease-carrying insect vectors: a review. Genes Genom 42, 1131–1144 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13258-020-00991-z

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