Molecular Pathogens 2024, Vol.15, No.2, 50-60 http://microbescipublisher.com/index.php/mp 50 Research Perspective Open Access Microbial Predators: A New Frontier in Disease Management ZhongqiWu Institute of Life Science, Jiyang College of Zhejiang A&F University, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding email: zhongqi.wu@jicat.org Molecular Pathogens, 2024, Vol.15, No.2 doi: 10.5376/mp.2024.15.0006 Received: 05 Jan., 2024 Accepted: 18 Feb., 2024 Published: 11 Mar., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Wu, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Wu Z.Q., 2024, Microbial predators: a new frontier in disease management, Molecular Pathogens, 15(2): 50-60 (doi: 10.5376/mp.2024.15.0006) Abstract Microbial predators play a critical role in disease management by naturally targeting and eliminating pathogenic microorganisms. This study comprehensively examines various types of microbial predators, including bacterial, fungal, and protist predators, and their mechanisms of predation, such as attachment and invasion, secretion of lytic enzymes, and consumption and digestion of prey. It emphasizes the significant impact of microbial predators in targeting pathogenic bacteria, controlling fungal infections, and their applications in agriculture and medicine. This study also discusses the advantages of microbial predators over traditional methods, potential challenges, and strategies to overcome these limitations. By showcasing successful case studies in agriculture, medicine, and environmental fields, it illustrates the practical benefits and effectiveness of microbial predators. This study outlines future research and development needs, technological innovations, and the integration of microbial predators with other disease management strategies. The findings underscore the importance of microbial predators in disease management and provide recommendations for future research to enhance their efficacy and application. Keywords Microbial predators; Disease management; Bacterial predation; Fungal control; Agricultural applications 1 Introduction Microbial predators, encompassing a diverse array of organisms such as protists, predatory bacteria, and bacteriophages, play a crucial role in shaping microbial communities and influencing ecological dynamics. These predators exhibit a variety of hunting strategies and prey specificities, which significantly impact the population dynamics and community structure of their prey (Johnke et al., 2014). Despite their importance, the role of microbial predators in disease management has only recently begun to be explored, presenting a new frontier in the field of microbiology and disease control. Microbial predators are integral to the functioning of ecosystems, influencing nutrient cycling, energy flow, and the structure of microbial food webs (Hungate et al., 2021). For instance, predatory bacteria such as Bdellovibrio and Myxococcus xanthus exhibit high growth and carbon assimilation rates, which can enhance their control over lower trophic levels in microbial communities (Sydney et al., 2021). These interactions are not only fundamental to ecological theory but also have practical implications for managing bacterial populations in various environments, including wastewater treatment plants and agricultural soils (Geisen and Quist, 2020). The potential of microbial predators in disease management is vast. Predatory bacteria and other microbial predators can be harnessed to control pathogenic bacteria, offering an alternative to traditional antibiotics, which are increasingly becoming ineffective due to rising antibiotic resistance. Additionally, microbial predators can influence the community structure of pathogens, thereby reducing their prevalence and virulence (Chen et al., 2011). For example, the presence of toxin-producing endosymbionts in fungi can protect the host from micropredators, highlighting the complex interactions that can be leveraged for disease control (Richter et al., 2022). The objectives of this study are to synthesize current knowledge on microbial predators, explore their ecological roles, and evaluate their potential applications in disease management. By integrating findings from various studies, this study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how microbial predators can be utilized to
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