mGem: Decoding transmicrobe messaging-the growing impact of extracellular vesicles.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-enclosed nanoparticles that contain proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, playing key roles in interactions between pathogens and hosts. Most research on pathogen-derived EVs has focused on understanding their impact on disease pathogenesis, immunomodulation, and their use as biomarkers for diagnosis. However, few studies have explored the cross talk between bacteria, fungi, protozoa, helminths, or arthropods via EVs. This is particularly relevant in the human gut microenvironment, where a high diversity of microbes exists and is modulated with helminth gastrointestinal infections. Additionally, during blood-borne coinfections like malaria and lymphatic filariasis, direct communication between pathogens may take place, and in the arthropod-pathogen interface, the multiplication of some protozoa or helminths is essential for their development. Understanding transmicrobe EV communication may reveal novel therapeutic strategies for controlling infectious diseases in both vertebrate and invertebrate hosts, particularly in regions with high coinfection rates.