Which of the following is a common vector for the transmission of infection?

A common vector for the transmission of infection is a mosquito, as it plays a critical role in spreading various diseases. Mosquitoes are vectors, meaning they carry pathogens from one host to another without being affected by the disease themselves. For instance, they can transmit viruses such as the West Nile virus, Zika virus, and malaria-causing parasites through their bite.

The role of mosquitoes as vectors highlights the importance of understanding how infections can be transmitted in order to implement effective prevention strategies. Other organisms, such as bacteria and fungi, are pathogens themselves rather than vectors. They cause infections directly without the intermediary host characteristic of vectors. While animals can serve as hosts for certain infections, it is often their role as vectors, like that of mosquitoes, that facilitates the spread to humans. Thus, the distinction of vectors being carriers of infectious agents is what makes the mosquito a prime example in this context, and illustrates the broader concept of vector-borne diseases.