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Aglagane A, Ravaioli V, Er-Rguibi O, Lavazza A, Carra E, Rabitti A, El Mouden EH, Aourir M, Frasnelli M. Molecular investigation and infection patterns of seven viruses of honey bee (Apis mellifera L, 1758) populations from southeastern Morocco. Acta Trop 2024; 257:107316. [PMID: 38971572 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024]
Abstract
An epidemiological survey of honey bee viruses was conducted on 87 clinically healthy beehives located in southeastern Morocco. The sampled colonies were analyzed by reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR / Real Time RT-qPCR with the aim of detecting and / or quantifying the following viruses: acute bee paralysis virus (ABPV), chronic bee paralysis virus (CBPV), deformed wing virus (DWV), sacbrood virus (SBV), black queen cell virus (BQCV), Kashmir bee virus (KBV) and Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV). With the exception of the last two of these viruses, all the other five were detected with different prevalence rates. DWV showed the highest prevalence rate (89.65 %), followed by BQCV (17.24 %), ABPV (8.04 %), CBPV (4.59 %), and SBV (2.29 %). This study represents the first molecular detection of BQCV in the country. Among all investigated colonies, only eight were virus free (9.2 %). By contrast, single infection was detected in 64.37 % of colonies, 21.8 % showed mixed infection with two viruses, while 4.6 % showed three. Nucleotide sequences of a portion of the DWV polyprotein gene obtained for six honey bee samples showed the greatest nucleotide identity with sequences of DWV from Sweden and Ireland. The negative effect of migratory beekeeping as opposed to stationary beekeeping was highlighted given that stationary beehives showed infection with up to three viruses only, while migratory beehives showed up to five viruses. The results of this study are of crucial importance as they shed light on the current status of honey bee health in southeastern Morocco.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdessamad Aglagane
- Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning, Faculty of Science, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco.
| | - Valentina Ravaioli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna, via A. Bianchi 9, Brescia 25124, Italy
| | - Omar Er-Rguibi
- Laboratory of Water, Biodiversity and Climate Change, Faculty of Science, Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech, Morocco
| | - Antonio Lavazza
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna, via A. Bianchi 9, Brescia 25124, Italy
| | - Elena Carra
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna, via A. Bianchi 9, Brescia 25124, Italy
| | - Alice Rabitti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna, via A. Bianchi 9, Brescia 25124, Italy
| | - El Hassan El Mouden
- Laboratory of Water, Biodiversity and Climate Change, Faculty of Science, Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech, Morocco
| | - Mohamed Aourir
- Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning, Faculty of Science, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco
| | - Matteo Frasnelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna, via A. Bianchi 9, Brescia 25124, Italy
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Grundmann CO, Guzman J, Vilcinskas A, Pupo MT. The insect microbiome is a vast source of bioactive small molecules. Nat Prod Rep 2024; 41:935-967. [PMID: 38411238 DOI: 10.1039/d3np00054k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Covering: September 1964 to June 2023Bacteria and fungi living in symbiosis with insects have been studied over the last sixty years and found to be important sources of bioactive natural products. Not only classic producers of secondary metabolites such as Streptomyces and other members of the phylum Actinobacteria but also numerous bacteria from the phyla Proteobacteria and Firmicutes and an impressive array of fungi (usually pathogenic) serve as the source of a structurally diverse number of small molecules with important biological activities including antimicrobial, cytotoxic, antiparasitic and specific enzyme inhibitors. The insect niche is often the exclusive provider of microbes producing unique types of biologically active compounds such as gerumycins, pederin, dinactin, and formicamycins. However, numerous insects still have not been described taxonomically, and in most cases, the study of their microbiota is completely unexplored. In this review, we present a comprehensive survey of 553 natural products produced by microorganisms isolated from insects by collating and classifying all the data according to the type of compound (rather than the insect or microbial source). The analysis of the correlations among the metadata related to insects, microbial partners, and their produced compounds provides valuable insights into the intricate dynamics between insects and their symbionts as well as the impact of their metabolites on these relationships. Herein, we focus on the chemical structure, biosynthesis, and biological activities of the most relevant compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Juan Guzman
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Giessen, Germany
| | - Andreas Vilcinskas
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Giessen, Germany
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Mônica Tallarico Pupo
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
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Arad M, Ku K, Frey C, Hare R, McAfee A, Ghafourifar G, Foster LJ. What proteomics has taught us about honey bee (Apis mellifera) health and disease. Proteomics 2024:e2400075. [PMID: 38896501 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.202400075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
The Western honey bee, Apis mellifera, is currently navigating a gauntlet of environmental pressures, including the persistent threat of parasites, pathogens, and climate change - all of which compromise the vitality of honey bee colonies. The repercussions of their declining health extend beyond the immediate concerns of apiarists, potentially imposing economic burdens on society through diminished agricultural productivity. Hence, there is an imperative to devise innovative monitoring techniques for assessing the health of honey bee populations. Proteomics, recognized for its proficiency in biomarker identification and protein-protein interactions, is poised to play a pivotal role in this regard. It offers a promising avenue for monitoring and enhancing the resilience of honey bee colonies, thereby contributing to the stability of global food supplies. This review delves into the recent proteomic studies of A. mellifera, highlighting specific proteins of interest and envisioning the potential of proteomics to improve sustainable beekeeping practices amidst the challenges of a changing planet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maor Arad
- Department of Chemistry, University of the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford, BC, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Kenneth Ku
- Department of Chemistry, University of the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford, BC, Canada
| | - Connor Frey
- Department of Chemistry, University of the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford, BC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Rhien Hare
- Department of Chemistry, University of the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford, BC, Canada
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Alison McAfee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Golfam Ghafourifar
- Department of Chemistry, University of the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford, BC, Canada
| | - Leonard J Foster
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Fernandes KE, Frost EA, Kratz M, Carter DA. Pollen products collected from honey bee hives experiencing minor stress have altered fungal communities and reduced antimicrobial properties. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2024; 100:fiae091. [PMID: 38886123 PMCID: PMC11210501 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiae091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Fungi are increasingly recognized to play diverse roles within honey bee hives, acting as pathogens, mutualists, and commensals. Pollen products, essential for hive nutrition, host significant fungal communities with potential protective and nutritional benefits. In this study, we profile the fungal communities and antifungal properties of three pollen products from healthy and stressed hives: fresh pollen collected by forager bees from local plants; stored pollen packed into the comb inside the hive; and bee bread, which is stored pollen following anaerobic fermentation used for bee and larval nutrition. Using amplicon sequencing, we found significant differences in fungal community composition, with hive health and sample type accounting for 8.8% and 19.3% of variation in beta diversity, respectively. Pollen and bee bread extracts had species-specific antimicrobial activity and inhibited the fungal hive pathogens Ascosphaera apis, Aspergillus flavus, and Aspergillus fumigatus, and the bacterial hive pathogen Paenibacillus larvae. Activity was positively correlated with phenolic and antioxidant content and was diminished in stressed hives. The plant source of pollen determined by amplicon sequencing differed in stressed hives, suggesting altered foraging behaviour. These findings illustrate the complex interplay between honey bees, fungal communities, and hive products, which should be considered in hive management and conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenya E Fernandes
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Elizabeth A Frost
- ABGU, A Joint Venture of NSW Department of Primary Industries and University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia
- NSW Department of Primary Industries, Paterson, NSW 2421, Australia
| | - Madlen Kratz
- NSW Department of Primary Industries, Paterson, NSW 2421, Australia
| | - Dee A Carter
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
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El-Meihy RM, Hassan EO, Alamoudi SA, Negm S, Al-Hoshani N, Al-Ghamdi MS, Nowar EE. Probing the interaction of Paenibacillus larvae bacteriophage as a biological agent to control the american foulbrood disease in honeybee. Saudi J Biol Sci 2024; 31:104002. [PMID: 38706719 PMCID: PMC11070271 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2024.104002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
American foulbrood (AFB) is a harmful honeybee disease primarily caused by Paenibacillus larvae. The study aims to isolate and identify the AFB causative agent P. larvae and their specific phages to use as a new biological method for AFB disease control. Eight apiaries were inspected for AFB infections. Symptoms of diseased brood comb, were odd brood cells with soft brown decayed brood amongst healthy brood, were identified in the field and demonstrated the prevalence of AFB in every apiary. Three P. larvae isolates were identified using traditional techniques using a 452-bp PCR amplicon specific to the bacterial 16SrRNA gene and was compared between Paenibacillus isolates. Additionally, specific phages of P. larvae strains were applied to examine their efficiency in reducing the infection rate under the apiary condition. The infection rate was reduced to approximately 94.6 to 100 % through the application of a phage mixture, as opposed to 20 to 85.7 % when each phage was administered individually or 78.6 to 88.9 % when antibiotic treatment was implemented. Histological studies on phage-treated bee larvae revealed some cells regaining normal shape, with prominent nuclei and microvilli. The gastrointestinal tract showed normal longitudinal and circular muscles, unlike bee larvae treated with bacterial strains with abnormal and destroyed tissues, as shown by the basement membrane surrounding the mid-gut epithelium. Phage techniques exhibited promise in resolving the issue of AFB in honeybees due to their ease of application, comparatively lower cost, and practicality for beekeepers in terms of laboratory preparation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasha M. El-Meihy
- Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Faculty of Agriculture, Benha University, Moshtohor, Qalyubia 13736, Egypt
| | - Eman O. Hassan
- Department of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, Benha University, Moshtohor, Qalyubia 13736, Egypt
| | - Soha A. Alamoudi
- Biological Sciences Department, College of Science & Arts, King Abdulaziz University, Rabigh 21911, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sally Negm
- Department of Life Sciences, College of Science and Art Mahyel Aseer, King Khalid University, Abha 62529, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nawal Al-Hoshani
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mariam S. Al-Ghamdi
- Department of Biology, College of Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 24381, Saudi Arabia
| | - Elhosseny E. Nowar
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Benha University, Moshtohor, Qalyubia 13736, Egypt
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Koller TO, Berger MJ, Morici M, Paternoga H, Bulatov T, Di Stasi A, Dang T, Mainz A, Raulf K, Crowe-McAuliffe C, Scocchi M, Mardirossian M, Beckert B, Vázquez-Laslop N, Mankin A, Süssmuth RD, Wilson DN. Paenilamicins from the honey bee pathogen Paenibacillus larvae are context-specific translocation inhibitors of protein synthesis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.21.595107. [PMID: 38826346 PMCID: PMC11142091 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.21.595107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
The paenilamicins are a group of hybrid non-ribosomal peptide-polyketide compounds produced by the honey bee pathogen Paenibacillus larvae that display activity against Gram-positive pathogens, such as Staphylococcus aureus. While paenilamicins have been shown to inhibit protein synthesis, their mechanism of action has remained unclear. Here, we have determined structures of the paenilamicin PamB2 stalled ribosomes, revealing a unique binding site on the small 30S subunit located between the A- and P-site tRNAs. In addition to providing a precise description of interactions of PamB2 with the ribosome, the structures also rationalize the resistance mechanisms utilized by P. larvae. We could further demonstrate that PamB2 interferes with the translocation of mRNA and tRNAs through the ribosome during translation elongation, and that this inhibitory activity is influenced by the presence of modifications at position 37 of the A-site tRNA. Collectively, our study defines the paenilamicins as a new class of context-specific translocation inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timm O. Koller
- Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 6, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Max J. Berger
- Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 6, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Martino Morici
- Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 6, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Helge Paternoga
- Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 6, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Timur Bulatov
- Institut für Chemie, Technische Universität Berlin, 10623 Berlin, Germany
| | - Adriana Di Stasi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Tam Dang
- Institut für Chemie, Technische Universität Berlin, 10623 Berlin, Germany
| | - Andi Mainz
- Institut für Chemie, Technische Universität Berlin, 10623 Berlin, Germany
| | - Karoline Raulf
- Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 6, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Caillan Crowe-McAuliffe
- Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 6, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Marco Scocchi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Mario Mardirossian
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Bertrand Beckert
- Dubochet Center for Imaging (DCI) at EPFL, EPFL SB IPHYS DCI, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nora Vázquez-Laslop
- Center for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607
| | - Alexander Mankin
- Center for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607
| | | | - Daniel N. Wilson
- Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 6, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
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Batuman O, Britt-Ugartemendia K, Kunwar S, Yilmaz S, Fessler L, Redondo A, Chumachenko K, Chakravarty S, Wade T. The Use and Impact of Antibiotics in Plant Agriculture: A Review. PHYTOPATHOLOGY 2024; 114:885-909. [PMID: 38478738 DOI: 10.1094/phyto-10-23-0357-ia] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Growers have depended on the specificity and efficacy of streptomycin and oxytetracycline as a part of their plant disease arsenal since the middle of the 20th century. With climate change intensifying plant bacterial epidemics, the established success of these antibiotics remains threatened. Our strong reliance on certain antibiotics for devastating diseases eventually gave way to resistance development. Although antibiotics in plant agriculture equal to less than 0.5% of overall antibiotic use in the United States, it is still imperative for humans to continue to monitor usage, environmental residues, and resistance in bacterial populations. This review provides an overview of the history and use, resistance and mitigation, regulation, environmental impact, and economics of antibiotics in plant agriculture. Bacterial issues, such as the ongoing Huanglongbing (citrus greening) epidemic in Florida citrus production, may need antibiotics for adequate control. Therefore, preserving the efficacy of our current antibiotics by utilizing more targeted application methods, such as trunk injection, should be a major focus. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY 4.0 International license.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozgur Batuman
- Department of Plant Pathology, Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Immokalee, FL
| | - Kellee Britt-Ugartemendia
- Department of Plant Pathology, Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Immokalee, FL
| | - Sanju Kunwar
- Department of Plant Pathology, Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Immokalee, FL
| | - Salih Yilmaz
- Department of Plant Pathology, Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Immokalee, FL
| | - Lauren Fessler
- Department of Plant Pathology, Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Immokalee, FL
| | - Ana Redondo
- Department of Plant Pathology, Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Immokalee, FL
| | - Kseniya Chumachenko
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Shourish Chakravarty
- Department of Food and Resource Economics, Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Immokalee, FL
| | - Tara Wade
- Department of Food and Resource Economics, Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Immokalee, FL
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Vlkova K, Erban T, Kamler M, Titera D, Bitar I, Hrabak J. Simultaneous PCR detection of Paenibacillus larvae targeting insertion sequence IS256 and Melissococcus plutonius targeting pMP1 plasmid from hive specimens. Folia Microbiol (Praha) 2024; 69:415-421. [PMID: 38180723 PMCID: PMC11003898 DOI: 10.1007/s12223-023-01125-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Paenibacillus larvae and Melissococcus plutonius represent the most threatening bacterial diseases of honeybee (Apis mellifera)-American and European foulbrood, respectively. For efficient control of those diseases, rapid and accurate detection of the pathogens is crucial. Therefore, we developed a novel multiplex PCR method simultaneously detecting both pathogens. To design and optimize multiplex PCR reaction, four strains of P. larvae representing four ERIC genotypes I-IV (strain DSM 7030-ERIC I, DSM 25430-ERIC II, LMG 16252-ERIC III, DSM 3615-ERIC IV) were selected. Those strains were fully sequenced using long-read sequencing (Sequel I, Pacific Biosciences). For P. larvae, the multicopy insertion sequence IS256 identified in all genotypes of P. larvae was selected to provide high sensitivity. M. plutonius was detected by plasmid pMP1 sequence and the virulence verified by following detection of ETX/MTX2 toxin responsible for pore formation in the cell membrane. As an internal control, a gene encoding for major royal jelly protein 1 specific for honeybees was selected. The method was validated on 36 clinical specimens collected from the colonies suffering from American and European foulbrood in the Czech Republic. Based on the results, sensitivity of PCR was calculated to 93.75% and specificity to 100% for P. larvae diagnosed from hive debris and 100% sensitivity and specificity for honeybee workers and larval scales as well as for diseased brood infected by M. plutonius.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katerina Vlkova
- Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, alej Svobody 76, 323 00, Pilsen, Czech Republic
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, alej Svobody 80, 323 00, Pilsen, Czech Republic
| | - Tomas Erban
- Crop Research Institute, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Kamler
- Bee Research Institute at Dol, Libcice nad Vltavou, Czech Republic
| | - Dalibor Titera
- Bee Research Institute at Dol, Libcice nad Vltavou, Czech Republic
| | - Ibrahim Bitar
- Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, alej Svobody 76, 323 00, Pilsen, Czech Republic
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, alej Svobody 80, 323 00, Pilsen, Czech Republic
| | - Jaroslav Hrabak
- Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, alej Svobody 76, 323 00, Pilsen, Czech Republic.
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, alej Svobody 80, 323 00, Pilsen, Czech Republic.
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Gok Yurttas A, Çinar K, Khan Z, Elgün T, Mayack C. Inactivation of Nosema spp. with zinc phthalocyanine. J Invertebr Pathol 2024; 203:108074. [PMID: 38350524 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2024.108074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
Most honey bee pathogens, such as Vairimorpha (Nosema), cannot be rapidly and definitively diagnosed in a natural setting, consequently there is typically the spread of these diseases through shared and re-use of beekeeping equipment. Furthermore, there are no viable treatment options available for Nosema spores to aid in managing the spread of this bee disease. We therefore aimed to develop a new method using novel Zinc Phthalocyanine (ZnPc) as a photosensitizer for the photodynamic inactivation of Nosema spores that could be used for the decontamination of beekeeping equipment. Nosema spores were propagated for in vitro testing using four caged Apis mellifera honey bees. The ZnPc treatment was characterized, encapsulated with a liposome, and then used as either a 10 or 100 µM treatment for the freshly harvested Nosema spores, for either a 30 and or 60-minute time period, under either light or dark conditions, in-vitro, in 96-well plates. In the dark treatment, after 30-min, the ZnPc 100 µM treatment, caused a 30 % Nosema mortality, while this increased to 80 % at the same concentration after the light treatment. The high rate of anti-spore effects, in a short period of time, supports the notion that this could be an effective treatment for managing honey bee Nosema infections in the future. Our results also suggest that the photo activation of the treatment could be applied in the field setting and this would increase the sterilization of beekeeping equipment against Nosema.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asiye Gok Yurttas
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Istanbul Health and Technology University, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Kamil Çinar
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Gebze Technical University, Kocaeli, Turkey.
| | - Zaeema Khan
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabancı University, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Tuğba Elgün
- Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul Biruni University, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Christopher Mayack
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabancı University, Istanbul, Turkey; US Department of Agriculture, Invasive Species and Pollinator Health Research Unit (ISPHRU), Western Regional Research Center (WRRC) in the Pacific West Area (PWA), USDA ARS Bee Lab Trailer 1, United States.
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Motta EVS, Moran NA. The honeybee microbiota and its impact on health and disease. Nat Rev Microbiol 2024; 22:122-137. [PMID: 38049554 PMCID: PMC10998682 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-023-00990-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
Honeybees (Apis mellifera) are key pollinators that support global agriculture and are long-established models for developmental and behavioural research. Recently, they have emerged as models for studying gut microbial communities. Earlier research established that hindguts of adult worker bees harbour a conserved set of host-restricted bacterial species, each showing extensive strain variation. These bacteria can be cultured axenically and introduced to gnotobiotic hosts, and some have basic genetic tools available. In this Review, we explore the most recent research showing how the microbiota establishes itself in the gut and impacts bee biology and health. Microbiota members occupy specific niches within the gut where they interact with each other and the host. They engage in cross-feeding and antagonistic interactions, which likely contribute to the stability of the community and prevent pathogen invasion. An intact gut microbiota provides protection against diverse pathogens and parasites and contributes to the processing of refractory components of the pollen coat and dietary toxins. Absence or disruption of the microbiota results in altered expression of genes that underlie immunity, metabolism, behaviour and development. In the field, such disruption by agrochemicals may negatively impact bees. These findings demonstrate a key developmental and protective role of the microbiota, with broad implications for bee health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erick V S Motta
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Nancy A Moran
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA.
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Jin G, Hrithik MTH, Mandal E, Kil EJ, Jung C, Kim Y. Phospholipase A2 activity is required for immune defense of European (Apis mellifera) and Asian (Apis cerana) honeybees against American foulbrood pathogen, Paenibacillus larvae. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0290929. [PMID: 38319944 PMCID: PMC10846722 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Honeybees require an efficient immune system to defend against microbial pathogens. The American foulbrood pathogen, Paenibacillus larvae, is lethal to honeybees and one of the main causes of colony collapse. This study investigated the immune responses of Apis mellifera and Apis cerana honeybees against the bacterial pathogen P. larvae. Both species of honeybee larvae exhibited significant mortality even at 102 103 cfu/mL of P. larvae by diet-feeding, although A. mellifera appeared to be more tolerant to the bacterial pathogen than A. cerana. Upon bacterial infection, the two honeybee species expressed both cellular and humoral immune responses. Hemocytes of both species exhibited characteristic spreading behaviors, accompanied by cytoskeletal extension along with F-actin growth, and formed nodules. Larvae of both species also expressed an antimicrobial peptide called apolipophorin III (ApoLpIII) in response to bacterial infection. However, these immune responses were significantly suppressed by a specific inhibitor to phospholipase A2 (PLA2). Each honeybee genome encodes four PLA2 genes (PLA2A ~ PLA2D), representing four orthologous combinations between the two species. In response to P. larvae infection, both species significantly up-regulated PLA2 enzyme activities and the expression of all four PLA2 genes. To determine the roles of the four PLA2s in the immune responses, RNA interference (RNAi) was performed by injecting gene-specific double stranded RNAs (dsRNAs). All four RNAi treatments significantly suppressed the immune responses, and specific inhibition of the two secretory PLA2s (PLA2A and PLA2B) potently suppressed nodule formation and ApoLpIII expression. These results demonstrate the cellular and humoral immune responses of A. mellifera and A. cerana against P. larvae. This study suggests that eicosanoids play a crucial role in mediating common immune responses in two closely related honeybees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gahyeon Jin
- Department of Plant Medicals, Andong National University, Andong, Korea
| | | | - Eeshita Mandal
- Department of Plant Medicals, Andong National University, Andong, Korea
| | - Eui-Joon Kil
- Department of Plant Medicals, Andong National University, Andong, Korea
| | - Chuleui Jung
- Department of Plant Medicals, Andong National University, Andong, Korea
| | - Yonggyun Kim
- Department of Plant Medicals, Andong National University, Andong, Korea
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12
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Moliné MDLP, Aguirre ME, Domínguez E, Moran Giardini P, Fernández NJ, Damiani N, Churio MS, Gende LB. Short communication: Ascorbyl/ascorbate ratio as a marker of oxidative stress in larvae (Apis mellifera) exposed to Paenibacillus larvae. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2024; 269:110896. [PMID: 37640200 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2023.110896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Paenibacillus larvae, the causal agent of American foulbrood disease (AFB), affects Apis mellifera larvae and can induce oxidative stress by overproduction of radical oxygen species (ROS). This study aimed to assess the oxidative stress levels in larvae exposed to three different strains of P. larvae through their diet by examining the ascorbyl radical (A) to ascorbate anion (AH¯) ratio. The results revealed that larvae inoculated with P. larvae exhibited a lower value of this index compared to uninoculated ones. Interestingly, the level of A remained constant, while the concentration of AH¯ increased. Said increase correlated with the virulence of the specific P. larvae strain used in the inoculation. These findings suggest a potential link between AH¯ molecules and a defense response in A. mellifera larvae against infection, consistent with their resistance to P. larvae (LD50).
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Affiliation(s)
- María de la Paz Moliné
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción, Sanidad y Ambiente (IIPROSAM), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (FCEyN), CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, B7600 Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Matias E Aguirre
- Instituto de Investigaciones Físicas de Mar del Plata (IFIMAR), Departamento de Química y Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (FCEyN), CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, B7600 Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Enzo Domínguez
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción, Sanidad y Ambiente (IIPROSAM), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (FCEyN), CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, B7600 Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Paloma Moran Giardini
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción, Sanidad y Ambiente (IIPROSAM), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (FCEyN), CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, B7600 Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Natalia J Fernández
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción, Sanidad y Ambiente (IIPROSAM), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (FCEyN), CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, B7600 Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Natalia Damiani
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción, Sanidad y Ambiente (IIPROSAM), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (FCEyN), CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, B7600 Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - M Sandra Churio
- Instituto de Investigaciones Físicas de Mar del Plata (IFIMAR), Departamento de Química y Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (FCEyN), CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, B7600 Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Liesel B Gende
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción, Sanidad y Ambiente (IIPROSAM), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (FCEyN), CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, B7600 Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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13
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Damico ME, Beasley B, Greenstein D, Raymann K. Testing the Effectiveness of a Commercially Sold Probiotic on Restoring the Gut Microbiota of Honey Bees: a Field Study. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins 2023:10.1007/s12602-023-10203-1. [PMID: 38112994 DOI: 10.1007/s12602-023-10203-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Antibiotic use in apiculture is often necessary to ensure the survival of honey bee colonies. However, beekeepers are faced with the dilemma of needing to combat bacterial brood infections while also knowing that antibiotics kill beneficial bacteria important for bee health. In recent years, bee probiotics have become increasingly purchased by beekeepers because of product claims like being able to "replenish the microbes lost due to agricultural modifications of honey bees' environment" or "promote optimal gut health." Unfortunately, these products have little scientific evidence to support their efficacy, and previous lab experiments have refuted some of their claims. Here, we performed hive-level field experiments to test the effectiveness of SuperDFM-HoneyBee™ - the most commonly purchased honey bee probiotic in the United States - on restoring the honey bee gut microbiota after antibiotic treatment. We found slight but significant changes in the microbiota composition of bees following oxytetracycline (TerraPro) treatment and no difference between the microbiota of antibiotic treated bees with or without subsequent probiotic supplementation. Moreover, the microorganisms in the probiotic supplement were never found in the guts of the worker bee samples. These results highlight that more research is needed to test the efficacy and outcomes of currently available commercial honey bee probiotic supplements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan E Damico
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, 27412, USA
| | - Burton Beasley
- North Carolina State Beekeepers Association, Hurdle Mills, NC, 27541, USA
| | - Drew Greenstein
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, 27412, USA
| | - Kasie Raymann
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, 27412, USA.
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA.
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14
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Karaoğlu ŞA, Bıyık S, Nisbet C, Akpınar R, Bozdeveci A, Suyabatmaz Ş, Güler A, Kaya S, Yeşilyurt A, Batan N, Yaylı N. Use of Dicranum polysetum extract against Paenibacillus larvae causing American Foulbrood under in vivo and in vitro conditions. Int Microbiol 2023; 26:1087-1101. [PMID: 37097489 DOI: 10.1007/s10123-023-00361-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Abstract
Recent research shows that Dicranum species can be used to ameliorate the negative effects of honeybee bacterial diseases and that novel compounds isolated from these species may have the potential to treat bacterial diseases. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of Dicranum polysetum Sw. against American Foulbrood using toxicity and larval model. The effectiveness of D. polysetum Sw. ethanol extract in combating AFB was investigated in vitro and in vivo. This study is important in finding an alternative treatment or prophylactic method to prevent American Foulbrood disease in honey bee colonies. Spore and vegetative forms of Paenibacillus larvae PB31B with ethanol extract of D. polysetum were tested on 2040 honey bee larvae under controlled conditions. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents of D. polysetum ethanol extracts were determined as 80.72 mg/GAE(Gallic acid equivalent) and 303.20 µg/mL, respectively. DPPH(2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging percent inhibition value was calculated as 4.32%. In Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) and Lymantria dispar (LD652) cell lines, the cytotoxic activities of D. polysetum extract were below 20% at 50 µg/mL. The extract was shown to considerably decrease infection in the larvae, and the infection was clinically halted when the extract was administered during the first 24 h after spore contamination. The fact that the extract contains potent antimicrobial/antioxidant activity does not reduce larval viability and live weight, and does not interact with royal jelly is a promising development, particularly regarding its use to treat early-stage AFB infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Şengül Alpay Karaoğlu
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University, 53100, Rize, Turkey.
| | - Selim Bıyık
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ondokuz Mayıs University, 55200, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Cevat Nisbet
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ondokuz Mayıs University, 55200, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Rahşan Akpınar
- Laboratory of Bee Diseases, Samsun Veterinary Control Institute, 55200, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Arif Bozdeveci
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University, 53100, Rize, Turkey.
| | - Şeyma Suyabatmaz
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University, 53100, Rize, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Güler
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ondokuz Mayıs University, 55200, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Selma Kaya
- Laboratory of Bee Diseases, Samsun Veterinary Control Institute, 55200, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Aydın Yeşilyurt
- Tonya Vocational School, Trabzon University, 61500, Trabzon, Turkey
| | - Nevzat Batan
- Molecular Biology and Genetics, Karadeniz Technical University, 61080, Trabzon, Turkey
| | - Nurettin Yaylı
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Karadeniz Technical University, 61080, Trabzon, Turkey
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15
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Bava R, Castagna F, Ruga S, Nucera S, Caminiti R, Serra M, Bulotta RM, Lupia C, Marrelli M, Conforti F, Statti G, Domenico B, Palma E. Plants and Their Derivatives as Promising Therapeutics for Sustainable Control of Honeybee ( Apis mellifera) Pathogens. Pathogens 2023; 12:1260. [PMID: 37887776 PMCID: PMC10610010 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12101260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The most important pollinator for agricultural crops is the Western honeybee (Apis mellifera). During the winter and summer seasons, diseases and stresses of various kinds endanger honeybee numbers and production, resulting in expenses for beekeepers and detrimental effects on agriculture and ecosystems. Researchers are continually in search of therapies for honeybees using the resources of microbiology, molecular biology, and chemistry to combat diseases and improve the overall health of these important pollinating insects. Among the most investigated and most promising solutions are medicinal plants and their derivatives. The health of animals and their ability to fight disease can be supported by natural products (NPs) derived from living organisms such as plants and microbes. NPs contain substances that can reduce the effects of diseases by promoting immunity or directly suppressing pathogens, and parasites. This literature review summarises the advances that the scientific community has achieved over the years regarding veterinary treatments in beekeeping through the use of NPs. Their impact on the prevention and control of honeybee diseases is investigated both in trials that have been conducted in the laboratory and field studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Bava
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.B.); (S.R.); (S.N.); (R.C.); (M.S.); (R.M.B.); (B.D.); (E.P.)
| | - Fabio Castagna
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.B.); (S.R.); (S.N.); (R.C.); (M.S.); (R.M.B.); (B.D.); (E.P.)
| | - Stefano Ruga
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.B.); (S.R.); (S.N.); (R.C.); (M.S.); (R.M.B.); (B.D.); (E.P.)
| | - Saverio Nucera
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.B.); (S.R.); (S.N.); (R.C.); (M.S.); (R.M.B.); (B.D.); (E.P.)
| | - Rosamaria Caminiti
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.B.); (S.R.); (S.N.); (R.C.); (M.S.); (R.M.B.); (B.D.); (E.P.)
| | - Maria Serra
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.B.); (S.R.); (S.N.); (R.C.); (M.S.); (R.M.B.); (B.D.); (E.P.)
| | - Rosa Maria Bulotta
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.B.); (S.R.); (S.N.); (R.C.); (M.S.); (R.M.B.); (B.D.); (E.P.)
| | - Carmine Lupia
- Mediterranean Ethnobotanical Conservatory, Sersale (CZ), 88054 Catanzaro, Italy;
- National Ethnobotanical Conservatory, Castelluccio Superiore, 85040 Potenza, Italy
| | - Mariangela Marrelli
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, 87036 Cosenza, Italy; (M.M.); (F.C.); (G.S.)
| | - Filomena Conforti
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, 87036 Cosenza, Italy; (M.M.); (F.C.); (G.S.)
| | - Giancarlo Statti
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, 87036 Cosenza, Italy; (M.M.); (F.C.); (G.S.)
| | - Britti Domenico
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.B.); (S.R.); (S.N.); (R.C.); (M.S.); (R.M.B.); (B.D.); (E.P.)
| | - Ernesto Palma
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.B.); (S.R.); (S.N.); (R.C.); (M.S.); (R.M.B.); (B.D.); (E.P.)
- Department of Health Sciences, Institute of Research for Food Safety & Health (IRC-FISH), University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
- Nutramed S.c.a.r.l., Complesso Ninì Barbieri, Roccelletta di Borgia, 88021 Catanzaro, Italy
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16
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Alippi AM, Lamelza F, Torres Tejerizo GA, Abrahamovich E, López AC. Identification, phylogenetic analysis, and genome mining of the tetracycline-resistant Bacillus thuringiensis strain m401 reveal its potential for biotechnological and biocontrol applications. Rev Argent Microbiol 2023; 55:317-331. [PMID: 37400312 DOI: 10.1016/j.ram.2023.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacillus thuringiensis is an entomopathogen belonging to the Bacillus cereus clade. We isolated a tetracycline-resistant strain called m401, recovered it from honey, and identified it as Bacillus thuringiensis sv. kumamotoensis based on the average nucleotide identity calculations (ANIb) comparison and the analysis of the gyrB gene sequences of different B. thuringiensis serovars. Sequences with homology to virulence factors [cytK, nheA, nheB, nheC, hblA, hblB, hblC, hblD, entFM, and inhA] and tetracycline resistance genes [tet(45), tet(V), and tet(M)/tet(W)/tet(O)/tet(S) family] were identified in the bacterial chromosome. The prediction of plasmid-coding regions revealed homolog sequences to the MarR and TetR/AcrR family of transcriptional regulators, toxins, and lantipeptides. The genome mining analysis revealed 12 regions of biosynthetic gene clusters responsible for synthesizing secondary metabolites. We identified biosynthetic gene clusters coding for bacteriocins, siderophores, ribosomally synthesized post-translationally modified peptide products, and non-ribosomal peptide synthetase clusters that provide evidence for the possible use of Bt m401 as a biocontrol agent. Furthermore, Bt m401 showed high inhibition against all Paenibacillus larvae genotypes tested in vitro. In conclusion, Bt m401 owns various genes involved in different biological processes, such as transductional regulators associated with antibiotic resistance, toxins, and antimicrobial peptides with potential biotechnological and biocontrol applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana M Alippi
- Unidad de Bacteriología, Centro de Investigaciones de Fitopatología (CIDEFI), Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, cc 31, calle 60 y 119, S/N, 1900 La Plata, Argentina; Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (CICBA), Argentina.
| | - Florencia Lamelza
- Unidad de Bacteriología, Centro de Investigaciones de Fitopatología (CIDEFI), Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, cc 31, calle 60 y 119, S/N, 1900 La Plata, Argentina
| | - Gonzalo A Torres Tejerizo
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET-CCT La Plata), Argentina; IBBM (Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular), Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, UNLP, Calles 49 y 115 S/N, 1900 La Plata, Argentina
| | - Eliana Abrahamovich
- YPF Tecnología (Y-Tec), Av. del Petróleo S/N entre 129 y 143, 1923 Berisso, Argentina
| | - Ana C López
- Unidad de Bacteriología, Centro de Investigaciones de Fitopatología (CIDEFI), Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, cc 31, calle 60 y 119, S/N, 1900 La Plata, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET-CCT La Plata), Argentina
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17
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Lazarova S, Lozanova L, Neov B, Shumkova R, Balkanska R, Palova N, Salkova D, Radoslavov G, Hristov P. Composition and diversity of bacterial communities associated with honey bee foragers from two contrasting environments. BULLETIN OF ENTOMOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2023; 113:693-702. [PMID: 37545319 DOI: 10.1017/s0007485323000378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
The honey bee is associated with a diverse community of microbes (viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protists), commonly known as the microbiome. Here, we present data on honey bee microbiota from two localities having different surrounding landscapes - mountain (the Rhodope Mountains) and lowland (the Danube plain). The bacterial communities of abdomen of adult bees were studied using amplicon sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. The composition and dominance structure and their variability within and between localities, alpha and beta diversity, and core and differential taxa were compared at different hierarchical levels (operational taxonomic units to phylum). Seven genera (Lactobacillus, Gilliamella, Bifidobacterium, Commensalibacter, Bartonella, Snodgrassella, and Frischella), known to include core gut-associated phylotypes or species clusters, dominated (92-100%) the bacterial assemblages. Significant variations were found in taxa distribution across both geographical regions and within each apiary. Lactobacillus (Firmicutes) prevailed significantly in the mountain locality followed by Gilliamella and Bartonella (Proteobacteria). Bacteria of four genera, core (Bartonella and Lactobacillus) and non-core (Pseudomonas and Morganella), dominated the bee-associated assemblages of the Danube plain locality. Several ubiquitous bacterial genera (e.g., Klebsiella, Serratia, and Providencia), some species known also as potential and opportunistic bee pathogens, had been found in the lowland locality. Beta diversity analyses confirmed the observed differences in the bacterial communities from both localities. The occurrence of non-core taxa contributes substantially to higher microbial richness and diversity in bees from the Danube plain locality. We assume that the observed differences in the microbiota of honey bees from both apiaries are due to a combination of factors specific for each region. The surrounding landscape features of both localities and related vegetation, anthropogenic impact and land use intensity, the beekeeping management practices, and bee health status might all contribute to observed differences in bee microbiota traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stela Lazarova
- Department of Animal Diversity and Resources, Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Lyudmila Lozanova
- Department of Ecosystem Research, Environmental Risk Assessment and Conservation Biology, Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Boyko Neov
- Department of Animal Diversity and Resources, Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Rositsa Shumkova
- Research Centre of Stockbreeding and Agriculture, Agricultural Academy, 4700 Smolyan, Bulgaria
| | - Ralitsa Balkanska
- Department 'Special Branches', Institute of Animal Science, Agricultural Academy, 2230 Kostinbrod, Bulgaria
| | - Nadezhda Palova
- Scientific Center of Agriculture, Agricultural Academy, Sredets 8300, Bulgaria
| | - Delka Salkova
- Department of Experimental Parasitology, Institute of Experimental Morphology, Pathology and Anthropology with Museum, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Georgi Radoslavov
- Department of Animal Diversity and Resources, Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Peter Hristov
- Department of Animal Diversity and Resources, Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
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18
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Lariviere PJ, Ashraf AHMZ, Leonard SP, Miller LG, Moran NA, Barrick JE. Single-step genome engineering in the bee gut symbiont Snodgrassella alvi. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.19.558440. [PMID: 37786689 PMCID: PMC10541602 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.19.558440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Honey bees are economically relevant pollinators experiencing population declines due to a number of threats. As in humans, the health of bees is influenced by their microbiome. The bacterium Snodgrassella alvi is a key member of the bee gut microbiome and has a role in excluding pathogens. Despite this importance, there are not currently any easy-to-use methods for modifying the S. alvi chromosome to study its genetics. To solve this problem, we developed a one-step procedure that uses electroporation and homologous recombination, which we term SnODIFY (Snodgrassella-specific One-step gene Deletion or Insertion to alter FunctionalitY). We used SnODIFY to create seven single-gene knockout mutants and recovered mutants for all constructs tested. Nearly all transformants had the designed genome modifications, indicating that SnODIFY is highly accurate. Mutant phenotypes were validated through knockout of Type 4 pilus genes, which led to reduced biofilm formation. We also used SnODIFY to insert heterologous sequences into the genome by integrating fluorescent protein-coding genes. Finally, we confirmed that genome modification is dependent on S. alvi's endogenous RecA protein. Because it does not require expression of exogenous recombination machinery, SnODIFY is a straightforward, accurate, and lightweight method for genome editing in S. alvi. This workflow can be used to study the functions of S. alvi genes and to engineer this symbiont for applications including protection of honey bee health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick J. Lariviere
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - A. H. M. Zuberi Ashraf
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Sean P. Leonard
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Laurel G. Miller
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Nancy A. Moran
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Jeffrey E. Barrick
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
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19
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Karaoğlu ŞA, Yayli N, Akpinar R, Bozdeveci A, Erik İ, Suyabatmaz Ş, Korkmaz B, Batan N, Kaya S, Nisbet C, Güler A. Phytochemicals, antimicrobial, and sporicidal activities of moss, Dicranum polysetum Sw., against certain honey bee bacterial pathogens. Vet Res Commun 2023; 47:1445-1455. [PMID: 36892790 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-023-10094-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023]
Abstract
Beekeeping is an important agricultural and commercial activity globally practiced. Honey bee is attacked by certain infectious pathogens. Most important brood diseases are bacterial including American Foulbrood (AFB), caused by Paenibacillus larvae (P. larvae), and European Foulbrood (EFB) by Melissococcus plutonius (M. plutonius) in addition of secondary invaders, e.g. Paenibacillus alvei (P. alvei) and Paenibacillus dendritiformis (P. dendritiformis). These bacteria cause the death of larvae in honey bee colonies. In this work, antibacterial activities of extracts, fractions, and isolated certain compounds (nominated 1-3) all originated from moss, Dicranum polysetum Sw. ( D. polysetum), were tested against some honey bee bacterial pathogens. Minimum inhibitory concentration, minimum bactericidal concentration, and sporicidal values of methanol extract, ethyl acetate, and n-hexane fractions ranged between 10.4 and 18.98, 83.4-303.75 & 5.86-18.98 µg/mL against P. larvae, respectively. Antimicrobial activities of the ethyl acetate sub-fractions (fraction) and the isolated compounds (1-3) were tested against AFB- and EFB-causing bacteria. Bio-guided chromatographic separation of ethyl acetate fraction, a crude methanolic extract obtained from aerial parts of D. polysetum resulted in three natural compounds: a novel one, i.e. glycer-2-yl hexadeca-4-yne-7Z,10Z,13Z-trienoate (1, dicrapolysetoate; given as trivial name), in addition to two known triterpenoids poriferasterol (2), and γ-taraxasterol (3). Minimum inhibitory concentration ranges were 1.4-60.75, 8.12-65.0, 2.09-33.44 & 1.8-28.75 µg/mL for sub-fractions, compounds 1, 2, and 3, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Şengül Alpay Karaoğlu
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University, Rize, 53100, Turkey.
| | - Nurettin Yayli
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, 61080, Turkey
| | - Rahşan Akpinar
- Laboratory of Bee Diseases, Samsun Veterinary Control Institute, Samsun, 55200, Turkey
| | - Arif Bozdeveci
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University, Rize, 53100, Turkey
| | - İshak Erik
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, 61080, Turkey
| | - Şeyma Suyabatmaz
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University, Rize, 53100, Turkey
| | - Büşra Korkmaz
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, 61080, Turkey
| | - Nevzat Batan
- Molecular Biology and Genetics, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, 61080, Turkey
| | - Selma Kaya
- Laboratory of Bee Diseases, Samsun Veterinary Control Institute, Samsun, 55200, Turkey
| | - Cevat Nisbet
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, 55200, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Güler
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, 55200, Turkey
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Paletti Rovey MF, Sotelo JP, Carezzano ME, Huallpa C, Oliva MDLM. Hexanic extract of Achyrocline satureioides: antimicrobial activity and in vitro inhibitory effect on mechanisms related to the pathogenicity of Paenibacillus larvae. Vet Res Commun 2023; 47:1379-1391. [PMID: 36809600 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-023-10086-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Paenibacillus larvae is a spore-forming bacillus, the most important bacterial pathogen of honeybee larvae and the causative agent of American foulbrood (AFB). Control measures are limited and represent a challenge for both beekeepers and researchers. For this reason, many studies focus on the search for alternative treatments based on natural products. AIM The objective of this study was to determine the antimicrobial activity of the hexanic extract (HE) of Achyrocline satureioides on P. larvae and the inhibitory activity on some mechanisms related to pathogenicity. MATERIAL AND METHODS The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of the HE was determined by the broth microdilution technique and the Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) by the microdrop technique. Swimming and swarming motility was evaluated in plates with 0.3 and 0.5% agar, respectively. Biofilm formation was evaluated and quantified by the Congo red and crystal violet method. The protease activity was evaluated by the qualitative technique on skim milk agar plates. RESULTS It was determined that the MIC of the HE on four strains of P. larvae ranged between 0.3 and 9.37 µg/ml and the MBC between 1.17 and 150 µg/ml. On the other hand, sub-inhibitory concentrations of the HE were able to decrease swimming motility, biofilm formation and the proteases production of P. larvae.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Fernanda Paletti Rovey
- Departamento de Microbiología e Inmunología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Fisico-Químicas y Naturales, Instituto de Biotecnología Ambiental y Salud (INBIAS), Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto, Ruta Nacional 36 - Km. 601, X5804BYA, Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina.
- CONICET (Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas), 2290, C1425FQB CABA, Godoy Cruz, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Jesica Paola Sotelo
- Departamento de Microbiología e Inmunología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Fisico-Químicas y Naturales, Instituto de Biotecnología Ambiental y Salud (INBIAS), Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto, Ruta Nacional 36 - Km. 601, X5804BYA, Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina
- CONICET (Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas), 2290, C1425FQB CABA, Godoy Cruz, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Evangelina Carezzano
- Departamento de Microbiología e Inmunología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Fisico-Químicas y Naturales, Instituto de Biotecnología Ambiental y Salud (INBIAS), Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto, Ruta Nacional 36 - Km. 601, X5804BYA, Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina
- CONICET (Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas), 2290, C1425FQB CABA, Godoy Cruz, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carlos Huallpa
- Departamento de Microbiología e Inmunología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Fisico-Químicas y Naturales, Instituto de Biotecnología Ambiental y Salud (INBIAS), Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto, Ruta Nacional 36 - Km. 601, X5804BYA, Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina
- CONICET (Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas), 2290, C1425FQB CABA, Godoy Cruz, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María de Las Mercedes Oliva
- Departamento de Microbiología e Inmunología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Fisico-Químicas y Naturales, Instituto de Biotecnología Ambiental y Salud (INBIAS), Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto, Ruta Nacional 36 - Km. 601, X5804BYA, Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina
- CONICET (Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas), 2290, C1425FQB CABA, Godoy Cruz, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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TAKAMATSU D. Atypical Melissococcus plutonius strains: their characteristics, virulence, epidemiology, and mysteries. J Vet Med Sci 2023; 85:880-894. [PMID: 37460304 PMCID: PMC10539817 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.23-0180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Melissococcus plutonius is a Gram-positive lanceolate coccus that is the causative agent of European foulbrood, an important bacterial disease of honey bee brood. Although this bacterium was originally described in the early 20th century, a culture method for this bacterium was not established until more than 40 years after its discovery due to its fastidious characteristics, including the requirement for high potassium and anaerobic/microaerophilic conditions. These characteristics were considered to be common to the majority of M. plutonius strains isolated worldwide, and M. plutonius was also thought to be genetically homologous or clonal for years. However, non-fastidious variants of this species (designated as atypical M. plutonius) were very recently identified in Japan. Although the morphology of these unusual strains was similar to that of traditionally well-known M. plutonius strains, atypical strains were genetically very different from most of the M. plutonius strains previously isolated and were highly virulent to individual bee larva. These atypical variants were initially considered to be unique to Japan, but were subsequently found worldwide; however, the frequency of isolation varied from country to country. The background of the discovery of atypical M. plutonius in Japan and current knowledge on atypical strains, including their biochemical and culture characteristics, virulence, detection methods, and global distribution, are described in this review. Remaining mysteries related to atypical M. plutonius and directions for future research are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke TAKAMATSU
- Division of Infectious Animal Disease Research, National Institute of Animal Health, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Ibaraki, Japan
- The United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
- Joint Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
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Fernandes KE, Stanfield B, Frost EA, Shanahan ER, Susantio D, Dong AZ, Tran TD, Cokcetin NN, Carter DA. Low Levels of Hive Stress Are Associated with Decreased Honey Activity and Changes to the Gut Microbiome of Resident Honey Bees. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0074223. [PMID: 37289060 PMCID: PMC10434159 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00742-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Honey bees (Apis mellifera) face increasing threats to their health, particularly from the degradation of floral resources and chronic pesticide exposure. The properties of honey and the bee gut microbiome are known to both affect and be affected by bee health. Using samples from healthy hives and hives showing signs of stress from a single apiary with access to the same floral resources, we profiled the antimicrobial activity and chemical properties of honey and determined the bacterial and fungal microbiome of the bee gut and the hive environment. We found honey from healthy hives was significantly more active than honey from stressed hives, with increased phenolics and antioxidant content linked to higher antimicrobial activity. The bacterial microbiome was more diverse in stressed hives, suggesting they may have less capacity to exclude potential pathogens. Finally, bees from healthy and stressed hives had significant differences in core and opportunistically pathogenic taxa in gut samples. Our results emphasize the need for understanding and proactively managing bee health. IMPORTANCE Honey bees serve as pollinators for many plants and crops worldwide and produce valuable hive products such as honey and wax. Various sources of stress can disrupt honey bee colonies, affecting their health and productivity. Growing evidence suggests that honey is vitally important to hive functioning and overall health. In this study, we determined the antimicrobial activity and chemical properties of honey from healthy hives and hives showing signs of stress, finding that honey from healthy hives was significantly more antimicrobial, with increased phenolics and antioxidant content. We next profiled the bacterial and fungal microbiome of the bee gut and the hive environment, finding significant differences between healthy and stressed hives. Our results underscore the need for greater understanding in this area, as we found even apparently minor stress can have implications for overall hive fitness as well as the economic potential of hive products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenya E Fernandes
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Bridie Stanfield
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Elizabeth A Frost
- ABGU, A Joint Venture of NSW Department of Primary Industries and University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia
- NSW Department of Primary Industries, Paterson, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Erin R Shanahan
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Daniel Susantio
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Andrew Z Dong
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Trong D Tran
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, Queensland, Australia
| | - Nural N Cokcetin
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Australian Institute for Microbiology and Infection, University of Technology, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Dee A Carter
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Kok DN, Zhou D, Tsourkas PK, Hendrickson HL. Paenibacillus larvae and their phages; a community science approach to discovery and initial testing of prophylactic phage cocktails against American Foulbrood in New Zealand. MICROBIOME RESEARCH REPORTS 2023; 2:30. [PMID: 38045927 PMCID: PMC10688787 DOI: 10.20517/mrr.2023.16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Background: American foulbrood (AFB) is a devastating disease of the European honey bee (Apis mellifera) and is found throughout the world. AFB is caused by the bacterium Paenibacillus larvae (P. larvae). Treatment with antibiotics is strictly forbidden in many regions, including New Zealand. Safe and natural prophylactic solutions to protect honey bees from AFB are needed. Bacteriophages are a well-studied alternative to antibiotics and have been shown to be effective against P. larvae in other countries. Methods: We employed a community science approach to obtaining samples from around New Zealand to discover novel bacteriophages. Standard isolation approaches were employed for both bacteria and bacteriophages. Host range testing was performed by agar overlay spot tests, and cocktail formulation and in vitro testing were performed in 96-well plate assays, followed by sub-sampling and CFU visualization on agar plates. Results: Herein, we describe the discovery and isolation of eight P. larvae bacterial isolates and 26 P. larvae bacteriophages that are novel and native to New Zealand. The phage genomes were sequenced and annotated, and their genomes were compared to extant sequenced P. larvae phage genomes. We test the host ranges of the bacteriophages and formulate cocktails to undertake in vitro testing on a set of representative bacterial strains. These results form the basis of a promising solution for protecting honey bees in New Zealand from AFB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle N. Kok
- School of Natural Sciences, Massey University, Auckland 0632, New Zealand
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand
| | - Diana Zhou
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand
| | - Philippos K. Tsourkas
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53792, USA
| | - Heather L. Hendrickson
- School of Natural Sciences, Massey University, Auckland 0632, New Zealand
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand
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Peña-Chora G, Toledo-Hernández E, Sotelo-Leyva C, Damian-Blanco P, Villanueva-Flores AG, Alvarez-Fitz P, Palemón-Alberto F, Ortega-Acosta SÁ. Presence and distribution of pests and diseases of Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Mexico: a review. THE EUROPEAN ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL 2023. [DOI: 10.1080/24750263.2023.2182920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- G. Peña-Chora
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca, México
| | - E. Toledo-Hernández
- Facultad de Ciencias Químico Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Chilpancingo, México
| | - C. Sotelo-Leyva
- Facultad de Ciencias Químico Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Chilpancingo, México
| | - P. Damian-Blanco
- Facultad de Ciencias Químico Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Chilpancingo, México
| | - A. G. Villanueva-Flores
- Facultad de Ciencias Químico Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Chilpancingo, México
| | - P. Alvarez-Fitz
- Facultad de Ciencias Químico Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Chilpancingo, México
| | - F. Palemón-Alberto
- Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias y Ambientales, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Iguala de la Independencia, México
| | - S. Á. Ortega-Acosta
- Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias y Ambientales, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Iguala de la Independencia, México
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25
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Vecchia ID, Fasan D, Pegoraro M, Benedetti P. Febrile sepsis: first report of human disease due to Paenibacillus silvae. Access Microbiol 2023; 5:acmi000580.v3. [PMID: 37424539 PMCID: PMC10323802 DOI: 10.1099/acmi.0.000580.v3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Paenibacillus species are saprophytes widely distributed in nature and rarely associated with overt human infection. Most cases have been described in people with important comorbidities and/or immunodepression. We report here what is, to the best of our knowledge, the first documented case of human disease due to Paenibacillus silvae , so far considered an exclusively environmental micro-organism. Case presentation A 57-year-old female patient was referred to our Unit after a 2 month history of remittent fever. Upon admission, a septic state and bacteraemia were revealed; P. sylvae was identified by 16S rRNA gene amplification and sequencing with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight MS. The patient became afebrile after 9 days of antibiotic treatment and was completely cured after a 2 week regimen with intravenous amoxicillin-clavulanate plus oral doxycycline. Conclusion The patient did not report any previous episode of infection. Most of the well-known risk factors to Paenibacillus bacteraemia, i.e. invasive procedures, use of intravenous drugs and foreign bodies, could be excluded, although her immune system was probably impaired due to obesity and heavy smoking. We suggest that the isolation of bacteria belonging to the genus Paenibacillus should not be disregarded, since there is accumulating evidence that these organisms may cause disease even in immunocompetent subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniele Fasan
- Unità Operativa di Malattie Infettive, Ospedale San Bortolo, Vicenza, Italy
| | - Manuela Pegoraro
- Laboratorio di Microbiologia, Ospedale San Bortolo, Vicenza, Italy
| | - Paolo Benedetti
- Unità Operativa di Malattie Infettive, Ospedale San Bortolo, Vicenza, Italy
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Motta EVS, Arnott RLW, Moran NA. Caffeine Consumption Helps Honey Bees Fight a Bacterial Pathogen. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0052023. [PMID: 37212661 PMCID: PMC10269917 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00520-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Caffeine has long been used as a stimulant by humans. Although this secondary metabolite is produced by some plants as a mechanism of defense against herbivores, beneficial or detrimental effects of such consumption are usually associated with dose. The Western honey bee, Apis mellifera, can also be exposed to caffeine when foraging at Coffea and Citrus plants, and low doses as are found in the nectar of these plants seem to boost memory learning and ameliorate parasite infection in bees. In this study, we investigated the effects of caffeine consumption on the gut microbiota of honey bees and on susceptibility to bacterial infection. We performed in vivo experiments in which honey bees, deprived of or colonized with their native microbiota, were exposed to nectar-relevant concentrations of caffeine for a week, then challenged with the bacterial pathogen Serratia marcescens. We found that caffeine consumption did not impact the gut microbiota or survival rates of honey bees. Moreover, microbiota-colonized bees exposed to caffeine were more resistant to infection and exhibited increased survival rates compared to microbiota-colonized or microbiota-deprived bees only exposed to the pathogen. Our findings point to an additional benefit of caffeine consumption in honey bee health by protecting against bacterial infections. IMPORTANCE The consumption of caffeine is a remarkable feature of the human diet. Common drinks, such as coffee and tea, contain caffeine as a stimulant. Interestingly, honey bees also seem to like caffeine. They are usually attracted to the low concentrations of caffeine found in nectar and pollen of Coffea plants, and consumption improves learning and memory retention, as well as protects against viruses and fungal parasites. In this study, we expanded these findings by demonstrating that caffeine can improve survival rates of honey bees infected with Serratia marcescens, a bacterial pathogen known to cause sepsis in animals. However, this beneficial effect was only observed when bees were colonized with their native gut microbiota, and caffeine seemed not to directly affect the gut microbiota or survival rates of bees. Our findings suggest a potential synergism between caffeine and gut microbial communities in protection against bacterial pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erick V. S. Motta
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Ryan L. W. Arnott
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Nancy A. Moran
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
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Kok DN, Turnbull J, Takeuchi N, Tsourkas PK, Hendrickson HL. In Vitro Evolution to Increase the Titers of Difficult Bacteriophages: RAMP-UP Protocol. PHAGE (NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y.) 2023; 4:68-81. [PMID: 37350994 PMCID: PMC10282794 DOI: 10.1089/phage.2023.0005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
Background Bacteriophages are becoming increasingly important in the race to find alternatives to antibiotics. Unfortunately, bacteriophages that might otherwise be useful are sometimes discarded due to low titers making them unsuitable for downstream applications. Methods Here, we present two distinct approaches used to experimentally evolve novel New Zealand Paenibacillus larvae bacteriophages. The first approach uses the traditional agar-overlay method, whereas the other was a 96-well plate liquid infection protocol that improved phage titers in as little as four days. We also used a mathematical model to probe the parameters and limits of the RAMP-UP approach to rapidly select mutants that improve bacteriophage titers. Results Both experimental approaches resulted in an increase in plaque-forming units (PFU/mL). The liquid infection approach developed here, which we call RAMP-UP for Rapid Adaptive Mutation of Phage - UP, was significantly faster and simpler, and allowed us to evolve high titer bacteriophages in as little as four days. Titers were increased from 100-100,000-fold relative to their ancestors. The resultant titers were sufficient to extract and sequence DNA from these bacteriophages. An analysis of these phage genomes is provided. Conclusion The RAMP-UP protocol is an effective method for experimentally evolving previously intractable bacteriophages in a high-throughput and expeditious manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle N. Kok
- School of Natural Sciences, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Joanne Turnbull
- School of Natural Sciences, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Nobuto Takeuchi
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Philippos K. Tsourkas
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Heather L. Hendrickson
- School of Natural Sciences, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
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28
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Truong AT, Kang JE, Yoo MS, Nguyen TT, Youn SY, Yoon SS, Cho YS. Probiotic candidates for controlling Paenibacillus larvae, a causative agent of American foulbrood disease in honey bee. BMC Microbiol 2023; 23:150. [PMID: 37226109 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-023-02902-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND American foulbrood (AFB) disease caused by Paenibacillus larvae is dangerous, and threatens beekeeping. The eco-friendly treatment method using probiotics is expected to be the prospective method for controlling this pathogen in honey bees. Therefore, this study investigated the bacterial species that have antimicrobial activity against P. larvae. RESULTS Overall, 67 strains of the gut microbiome were isolated and identified in three phyla; the isolates had the following prevalence rates: Firmicutes 41/67 (61.19%), Actinobacteria 24/67 (35.82%), and Proteobacteria 2/67 (2.99%). Antimicrobial properties against P. larvae on agar plates were seen in 20 isolates of the genus Lactobacillus, Firmicutes phylum. Six representative strains from each species (L. apis HSY8_B25, L. panisapium PKH2_L3, L. melliventris HSY3_B5, L. kimbladii AHS3_B36, L. kullabergensis OMG2_B25, and L. mellis OMG2_B33) with the largest inhibition zones on agar plates were selected for in vitro larvae rearing challenges. The results showed that three isolates (L. apis HSY8_B25, L. panisapium PKH2_L3, and L. melliventris HSY3_B5) had the potential to be probiotic candidates with the properties of safety to larvae, inhibition against P. larvae in infected larvae, and high adhesion ability. CONCLUSIONS Overall, 20 strains of the genus Lactobacillus with antimicrobial properties against P. larvae were identified in this study. Three representative strains from different species (L. apis HSY8_B25, L. panisapium PKH2_L3, and L. melliventris HSY3_B5) were evaluated to be potential probiotic candidates and were selected for probiotic development for the prevention of AFB. Importantly, the species L. panisapium isolated from larvae was identified with antimicrobial activity for the first time in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- A-Tai Truong
- Parasitic and InParasitic and Honey Bee Disease Laboratory, Bacterial Disease Division, Department of Animal and Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, 39660, Republic of Korea
- Faculty of Biotechnology, Thai Nguyen University of Sciences, Thai Nguyen, 250000, Vietnam
| | - Jeong Eun Kang
- Parasitic and InParasitic and Honey Bee Disease Laboratory, Bacterial Disease Division, Department of Animal and Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, 39660, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi-Sun Yoo
- Parasitic and InParasitic and Honey Bee Disease Laboratory, Bacterial Disease Division, Department of Animal and Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, 39660, Republic of Korea
| | - Thi Thu Nguyen
- Parasitic and InParasitic and Honey Bee Disease Laboratory, Bacterial Disease Division, Department of Animal and Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, 39660, Republic of Korea
| | - So-Youn Youn
- Parasitic and InParasitic and Honey Bee Disease Laboratory, Bacterial Disease Division, Department of Animal and Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, 39660, Republic of Korea
| | - Soon-Seek Yoon
- Parasitic and InParasitic and Honey Bee Disease Laboratory, Bacterial Disease Division, Department of Animal and Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, 39660, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun Sang Cho
- Parasitic and InParasitic and Honey Bee Disease Laboratory, Bacterial Disease Division, Department of Animal and Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, 39660, Republic of Korea.
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Pérez Matos AE, Bacci G, Borruso L, Landolfi M, Petrocchi D, Renzi S, Perito B. Characterization of the Bacterial Communities Inhabiting Tropical Propolis of Puerto Rico. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1130. [PMID: 37317104 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11051130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Propolis is a resinous material produced by honeybees from different plant sources and used in the hive as a building material and to protect the colony from parasites and pathogens. Despite its antimicrobial properties, recent studies showed that propolis hosts diverse microbial strains, some with great antimicrobial potential. In this study, the first description of the bacterial community of propolis produced by the gentle Africanized honeybee was reported. Propolis was sampled from hives of two different geographic areas of Puerto Rico (PR, USA), and the associated microbiota investigated by both cultivation and metataxonomic approaches. Metabarcoding analysis showed appreciable bacterial diversity in both areas and statistically significant dissimilarity in the taxa composition of the two areas, probably due to the different climatic conditions. Both metabarcoding and cultivation data revealed the presence of taxa already detected in other hive components and compatible with the bee's foraging environment. Isolated bacteria and propolis extracts showed antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial tester strains. These results support the hypothesis that the propolis microbiota could contribute to propolis' antimicrobial properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana E Pérez Matos
- Biotechnology and Agrobiotechnology Research and Learning Center, Department of Natural Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, Ponce 00717, Puerto Rico
| | - Giovanni Bacci
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Madonna del Piano 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy
| | - Luigimaria Borruso
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bozen/Bolzano, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
| | - Maria Landolfi
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Madonna del Piano 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bozen/Bolzano, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
| | - Dominique Petrocchi
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Madonna del Piano 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy
- Scientific Laboratory of Opificio delle Pietre Dure, Viale F. Strozzi 1, 50129 Firenze, Italy
| | - Sonia Renzi
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Madonna del Piano 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy
| | - Brunella Perito
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Madonna del Piano 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy
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Ory F, Dietemann V, Guisolan A, von Ah U, Fleuti C, Oberhaensli S, Charrière JD, Dainat B. Paenibacillus melissococcoides sp. nov., isolated from a honey bee colony affected by European foulbrood disease. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2023; 73. [PMID: 37185226 DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.005829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
A novel, facultatively anaerobic, Gram-stain-positive, motile, endospore-forming bacterium of the genus
Paenibacillus
, designated strain 2.1T, was isolated from a colony of Apis mellifera affected by European foulbrood disease in Switzerland. The rod-shaped cells of strain 2.1T were 2.2–6.5 µm long and 0.7–1.1 µm wide. Colonies of strain 2.1T were orange-pigmented under oxic growth conditions on solid basal medium at 35–37 °C. Strain 2.1T showed catalase and cytochrome c oxidase activity. Its polar lipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, aminophospholipid and phospholipid. The only respiratory quinone was menaquinone 7, and the major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 and palmitic acid (C16 : 0), which is consistent with other members of the genus
Paenibacillus
. The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain 2.1T was 53.3 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity showed that strain 2.1T was closely related to
Paenibacillus dendritiformis
LMG 21716T (99.7 % similarity) and
Paenibacillus thiaminolyticus
DSM 7262T (98.8 %). The whole-genome average nucleotide identity between strain 2.1T and the type strains of
P. dendritiformis
and
P. thiaminolyticus
was 92 and 91 %, respectively, and thus lower than the 95 % threshold value for delineation of genomic prokaryotic species. Based on the results of phylogenetic, genomic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic analyses we propose the name Paenibacillus melissococcoides sp. nov. for this novel
Paenibacillus
species. The type strain is 2.1T (=CCOS 2000T=DSM 113619T=LMG 32539T).
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Affiliation(s)
- Florine Ory
- Swiss Bee Research Centre, Agroscope, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Vincent Dietemann
- Swiss Bee Research Centre, Agroscope, Bern, Switzerland
- Department Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Anne Guisolan
- Biotechnology Research Group, Agroscope, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ueli von Ah
- Biotechnology Research Group, Agroscope, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Simone Oberhaensli
- Interfaculty Bioinformatics Unit and SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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31
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Santos ACC, Borges LDF, Rocha NDC, de Carvalho Azevedo VA, Bonetti AM, Dos Santos AR, da Rocha Fernandes G, Dantas RCC, Ueira-Vieira C. Bacteria, yeasts, and fungi associated with larval food of Brazilian native stingless bees. Sci Rep 2023; 13:5147. [PMID: 36991089 PMCID: PMC10060228 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32298-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Stingless bees are a diverse group with a relevant role in pollinating native species. Its diet is rich in carbohydrates and proteins, by collecting pollen and nectar supplies the development of its offspring. Fermentation of these products is associated with microorganisms in the colony. However, the composition of microorganisms that comprise this microbiome and its fundamental role in colony development is still unclear. To characterize the colonizing microorganisms of larval food in the brood cells of stingless bees Frieseomelitta varia, Melipona quadrifasciata, Melipona scutellaris, and Tetragonisca angustula, we have utilized molecular and culture-based techniques. Bacteria of the phyla Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and fungi of the phyla Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Mucoromycota, and Mortierellomycota were found. Diversity analysis showed that F. varia had a greater diversity of bacteria in its microbiota, and T. angustula had a greater diversity of fungi. The isolation technique allowed the identification of 189 bacteria and 75 fungi. In summary, this research showed bacteria and fungi associated with the species F. varia, M. quadrifasciata, M. scutellaris, and T. angustula, which may play an essential role in the survival of these organisms. Besides that, a biobank with bacteria and fungus isolates from LF of Brazilian stingless bees was created, which can be used for different studies and the prospection of biotechnology compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Carolina Costa Santos
- Laboratory of Genetics, Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil.
| | | | - Nina Dias Coelho Rocha
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Genetics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Vasco Ariston de Carvalho Azevedo
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Genetics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Ana Maria Bonetti
- Laboratory of Genetics, Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Carlos Ueira-Vieira
- Laboratory of Genetics, Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil.
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Matiašovic J, Bzdil J, Papežíková I, Čejková D, Vasina E, Bizos J, Navrátil S, Šedivá M, Klaudiny J, Pikula J. Genomic analysis of Paenibacillus larvae isolates from the Czech Republic and the neighbouring regions of Slovakia. Res Vet Sci 2023; 158:34-40. [PMID: 36913910 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2023.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023]
Abstract
Paenibacillus larvae is the causative agent of American foulbrood (AFB), a devastating disease of honeybee larvae. In the Czech Republic, two large infested regions were recognised. This study aimed to analyse P. larvae strains occurring in the Czech Republic in the years 2016-2017 and to characterise the genetic structure of their population with the use of Enterobacterial Repetitive Intergenic Consensus genotyping (ERIC), multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and whole genome sequence (WGS) analysis. The results were complemented by the analysis of isolates collected in the year 2018 in areas of Slovakia located near the Czechia-Slovakia border. ERIC genotyping revealed that 78.9% of tested isolates belonged to the ERIC II genotype and 21.1% to ERIC I genotype. MLST showed six sequence types with ST10 and ST11 being the most frequent among isolates. Within six isolates we found discrepancies in correlations between MLST and ERIC genotypes. The use of MLST and WGS analysis of isolates revealed that each of the large infested geographic regions had its own dominating P. larvae strains. We assume that these strains represented primary sources of infection in the affected areas. In addition, the sporadic presence of strains identified by core genome analysis as genetically related was unveiled in geographically distant regions suggesting possible human-mediated transmission of AFB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ján Matiašovic
- Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 296/70, 62100 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Jaroslav Bzdil
- Ptácy s.r.o., Valašská Bystřice 194, 756 27 Valašská Bystřice, Czech Republic
| | - Ivana Papežíková
- Department of Ecology and Diseases of Zoo Animals, Game, Fish and Bees, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Palackého tř. 1946/1, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Darina Čejková
- Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 296/70, 62100 Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Brno University of Technology, Technická 12, 616 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Evgeniya Vasina
- Department of Ecology and Diseases of Zoo Animals, Game, Fish and Bees, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Palackého tř. 1946/1, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Bizos
- Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 296/70, 62100 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Stanislav Navrátil
- Department of Ecology and Diseases of Zoo Animals, Game, Fish and Bees, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Palackého tř. 1946/1, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Mária Šedivá
- Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 84538 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Jaroslav Klaudiny
- Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 84538 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Jiří Pikula
- Department of Ecology and Diseases of Zoo Animals, Game, Fish and Bees, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Palackého tř. 1946/1, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic
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Ye M, Li X, Yang F, Zhou B. Beneficial bacteria as biocontrol agents for American foulbrood disease in honey bees (Apis mellifera). JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE (ONLINE) 2023; 23:6. [PMID: 36947033 PMCID: PMC10032306 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/iead013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
American foulbrood (AFB) is a cosmopolitan bacterial disease that affects honey bee (Apis mellifera) larvae and causes great economic losses in apiculture. Currently, no satisfactory methods are available for AFB treatment mainly due to the difficulties to eradicate the tenacious spores produced by the etiological agent of AFB, Paenibacillus larvae (Bacillales, Paenibacillaceae). This present review focused on the beneficial bacteria that displayed antagonistic activities against P. larvae and demonstrated potential in AFB control. Emphases were placed on commensal bacteria (genus Bacillus and lactic acid bacteria in particular) in the alimentary tract of honey bees. The probiotic roles lactic acid bacteria play in combating the pathogenic P. larvae and the limitations referring to the application of these beneficial bacteria were addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manhong Ye
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu Province, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agricultural & Agri-Product Safety, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xiaoyuan Li
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Fengping Yang
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu Province, China
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Truong AT, Yoo MS, Seo SK, Hwang TJ, Yoon SS, Cho YS. Prevalence of honey bee pathogens and parasites in South Korea: A five-year surveillance study from 2017 to 2021. Heliyon 2023; 9:e13494. [PMID: 36816323 PMCID: PMC9929316 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Honey bees play an important role in the pollination of crops and wild plants and provide important products to humans. Pathogens and parasites are the main factors that threaten beekeeping in South Korea. Therefore, a nationwide detection of 14 honey bee pathogens, including parasites (phorid flies, Nosema ceranae, and Acarapis woodi mites), viruses, bacteria, and fungal pathogens, was conducted from 2017 to 2021 in the country. The infection rate and the trend of detection of each pathogenic agent were determined. A total of 830 honey bee samples from Apis cerana (n = 357) and A. mellifera (n = 473) were examined. N. ceranae (35.53%), deformed wing virus (52.63%), sacbrood virus (SBV) (52.63%), and black queen cell virus (55.26%) were the most prevalent honey bee pathogens, and their prevalence rapidly increased from 2017 to 2021. The prevalence of Paenibacillus larvae, Israeli acute paralysis virus, Ascosphaera apis, A. woodi, Melissococcus plutonius, and chronic bee paralysis virus remained stable during the surveillance period, with infection rates ranging from 5.26% to 16.45% in 2021. Other pathogens, including acute bee paralysis virus, phorid flies, Kashmir bee virus, and Aspergillus flavus, had low infection rates that gradually declined during the detection period. The occurrence of honeybee pathogens peaked in July. SBV was the most common pathogen in A. cerana, whereas N. ceranae was predominant in A. mellifera. This study provides information regarding the current status of honey bee pathogens and presents the trend of the occurrence of each pathogen in South Korea. These data are important for predicting outbreaks of honey bee diseases in the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- A-Tai Truong
- Parasitic and Honey Bee Disease Laboratory, Bacterial and Parasitic Disease Division, Department of Animal and Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon 39660, Republic of Korea,Faculty of Biotechnology, Thai Nguyen University of Sciences, Thai Nguyen, Viet Nam
| | - Mi-Sun Yoo
- Parasitic and Honey Bee Disease Laboratory, Bacterial and Parasitic Disease Division, Department of Animal and Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon 39660, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo Kyoung Seo
- Parasitic and Honey Bee Disease Laboratory, Bacterial and Parasitic Disease Division, Department of Animal and Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon 39660, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Jun Hwang
- Parasitic and Honey Bee Disease Laboratory, Bacterial and Parasitic Disease Division, Department of Animal and Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon 39660, Republic of Korea
| | - Soon-Seek Yoon
- Parasitic and Honey Bee Disease Laboratory, Bacterial and Parasitic Disease Division, Department of Animal and Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon 39660, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun Sang Cho
- Parasitic and Honey Bee Disease Laboratory, Bacterial and Parasitic Disease Division, Department of Animal and Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon 39660, Republic of Korea,Corresponding author.
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35
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Christen V. Different effects of pesticides on transcripts of the endocrine regulation and energy metabolism in honeybee foragers from different colonies. Sci Rep 2023; 13:1985. [PMID: 36737645 PMCID: PMC9898565 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-29257-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Honeybees are important pollinators of many crops and contribute to biological biodiversity. For years, a decline in bee populations has been observed in certain areas. This decline in honeybees is accompanied by a decrease in pollinator services. One factor contributing to the decline of bee colonies is the exposure to pesticides. Pesticide exposure of bees, among other effects, can negatively affect orientation, memory, immune system function and gene expression. Among the altered expressed genes are transcripts of endocrine regulation and oxidative phosphorylation. Endocrine regulation plays an important role in the development of nurse bees into foragers and oxidative phosphorylation is involved in energy metabolism. Most of these transcriptional changes were investigated using mixed aged honeybees derived from the same colony. Experiments using nurse bees or foragers of the same age but from different colonies are rare. In the present study, effects of the two pesticides chlorpyrifos and pyraclostrobin on the expression of transcripts linked to endocrine regulation and oxidative phosphorylation in foragers of the same age from three different colonies are investigated to fill this gap. These two pesticides were selected because negative effects at sublethal concentrations on bees are known and because they are found in pollen and nectar of crops and wild plants. For this purpose, 20-22 days old foragers of three different colonies were exposed to different sublethal concentrations of the selected fungicides for 24 h, followed by analysis of the expression of buffy, vitellogenin, hbg-3, ilp-1, mrjp1, 2 and 3, cox5a, cox5b and cox17. Some significant changes in gene expression of both endocrine regulation transcripts and oxidative phosphorylation were shown. Furthermore, it became clear that forager bees from different colonies react differently. This is especially important in relation to the risk analysis of pesticides. In addition, it could be shown that the expression of hbg-3 in the brain of bees is a robust marker to distinguish nurse bees from foragers at the molecular biological level. In summary, this study clearly shows that pesticides, which are often detected in pollen and nectar, display negative effects at sublethal concentrations on bees and that it is important to use bees from different colonies for risk assessment of pesticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verena Christen
- School of Life Sciences, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, Hofackerstrasse 30, 4132, Muttenz, Switzerland.
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36
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Pathiraja D, Cho J, Kim J, Choi IG. Metabarcoding of eDNA for tracking the floral and geographical origins of bee honey. Food Res Int 2023; 164:112413. [PMID: 36737994 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2022.112413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Authentic honey products have a high commercial value and are often falsified via adulteration. Metabarcoding of environmental DNA (eDNA) from bacterial, floral, and entomological sources has recently been proposed as a useful tool for identifying and authenticating floral and geographical origins of bee honey. In this study, eDNA metabarcoding was applied to reveal the bacterial, plant, and honey bee DNA signatures of 48 commercial honey products from six different geographical origins. Bacterial DNA composition in commercial honey showed different relative abundance of Paenibacillus and Bacillus in geographically different samples, and high abundance of Methylobacterium in chestnut honey implying potential use of bacterial DNA composition for honey authentication. Using the chloroplast trnL (UAA) as a DNA marker, floral origins of commercial honey were investigated. Based on floral DNA signatures, 12 monofloral honey samples were identified among the 45 samples tested. Targeted amplicon sequencing of cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene from entomological DNA identified three different Apis mellifera sequence variants, specific to geographic origin of honey, suggesting that COI can be implemented as a DNA marker to trace the origin of honey. Therefore, the current study demonstrated the potential of eDNA based metabarcoding as a robust tool for evaluating commercial bee honey by exploring their floral and geographical origins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duleepa Pathiraja
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Junghwan Cho
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Junsung Kim
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - In-Geol Choi
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea.
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37
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Xiong ZR, Sogin JH, Worobo RW. Microbiome analysis of raw honey reveals important factors influencing the bacterial and fungal communities. Front Microbiol 2023; 13:1099522. [PMID: 36713191 PMCID: PMC9877413 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1099522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Raw honeys contain diverse microbial communities. Previous studies have focused on isolating bacteria and fungi that are culturable, while missing a large proportion of the microbial community due to culture-based constraints. This study utilized next-generation sequencing (NGS) to analyze the composition of microorganisms in raw honey; these data can reveal environmental and physicochemical variables that are associated with different microbial communities. To examine the microbial composition (bacteria and fungi) of raw honey and analyze its association with physicochemical properties, four types of honey (monofloral, wildflower, manuka, and feral; n total = 36) were analyzed via amplicon metagenomics. The analyzed honey samples had relatively similar bacterial communities but more distinct and diverse fungal communities. Honey type was determined as a significant factor influencing alpha and beta diversity metrics of bacterial and fungal communities. For the bacterial communities, titratable acidity (TA) was associated with community richness and diversity. For the fungal communities, Brix, TA, and color were associated with community richness, while water activity and color were associated with community diversity. Additionally, important bacterial and fungal amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) that influenced the overall community were identified. Results from this study provide important insights into the microbial communities associated with different types of raw honey, which could improve our understanding of microbial dynamics in beehives, improve honey production, and prevent honeybee disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zirui Ray Xiong
- Department of Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
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38
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Kok DN, Hendrickson HL. Save our bees: bacteriophages to protect honey bees against the pathogen causing American foulbrood in New Zealand. NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY 2023. [DOI: 10.1080/03014223.2022.2157847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Danielle N. Kok
- School of Natural Sciences, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
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39
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Binney BM, Pragert H, Foxwell J, Gias E, Birrell ML, Phiri BJ, Quinn O, Taylor M, Ha HJ, Hall RJ. Genomic analysis of the population structure of Paenibacillus larvae in New Zealand. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1161926. [PMID: 37152741 PMCID: PMC10157257 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1161926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
New Zealand is a remote country in the South Pacific Ocean. The isolation and relatively late arrival of humans into New Zealand has meant there is a recorded history of the introduction of domestic species. Honey bees (Apis mellifera) were introduced to New Zealand in 1839, and the disease American foulbrood was subsequently found in the 1870s. Paenibacillus larvae, the causative agent of American foulbrood, has been genome sequenced in other countries. We sequenced the genomes of P. larvae obtained from 164 New Zealand apiaries where American foulbrood was identified in symptomatic hives during visual inspection. Multi-locus sequencing typing (MLST) revealed the dominant sequence type to be ST18, with this clonal cluster accounting for 90.2% of isolates. Only two other sequence types (with variants) were identified, ST5 and ST23. ST23 was only observed in the Otago area, whereas ST5 was limited to two geographically non-contiguous areas. The sequence types are all from the enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus I (ERIC I) genogroup. The ST18 and ST5 from New Zealand and international P. larvae all clustered by sequence type. Based on core genome MLST and SNP analysis, localized regional clusters were observed within New Zealand, but some closely related genomes were also geographically dispersed, presumably due to hive movements by beekeepers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara M. Binney
- Animal Health Laboratory, Biosecurity New Zealand, Ministry for Primary Industries, Upper Hutt, New Zealand
| | - Hayley Pragert
- Biosecurity New Zealand, Ministry for Primary Industries, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Jonathan Foxwell
- Animal Health Laboratory, Biosecurity New Zealand, Ministry for Primary Industries, Upper Hutt, New Zealand
| | - Edna Gias
- Animal Health Laboratory, Biosecurity New Zealand, Ministry for Primary Industries, Upper Hutt, New Zealand
| | - Meredith L. Birrell
- Animal Health Laboratory, Biosecurity New Zealand, Ministry for Primary Industries, Upper Hutt, New Zealand
| | - Bernard J. Phiri
- Biosecurity New Zealand, Ministry for Primary Industries, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Oliver Quinn
- Biosecurity New Zealand, Ministry for Primary Industries, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Michael Taylor
- Biosecurity New Zealand, Ministry for Primary Industries, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Hye Jeong Ha
- Animal Health Laboratory, Biosecurity New Zealand, Ministry for Primary Industries, Upper Hutt, New Zealand
| | - Richard J. Hall
- Animal Health Laboratory, Biosecurity New Zealand, Ministry for Primary Industries, Upper Hutt, New Zealand
- *Correspondence: Richard J. Hall,
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40
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Erban T, Sopko B, Bodrinova M, Talacko P, Chalupnikova J, Markovic M, Kamler M. Proteomic insight into the interaction of Paenibacillus larvae with honey bee larvae before capping collected from an American foulbrood outbreak: Pathogen proteins within the host, lysis signatures and interaction markers. Proteomics 2023; 23:e2200146. [PMID: 35946602 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.202200146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
American foulbrood (AFB) is a devastating disease of honey bees. There remains a gap in the understanding of the interactions between the causative agent and host, so we used shotgun proteomics to gain new insights. Nano-LC-MS/MS analysis preceded visual description and Paenibacillus larvae identification in the same individual sample. A further critical part of our methodology was that larvae before capping were used as the model stage. The identification of the virulence factors SplA, PlCBP49, enolase, and DnaK in all P. larvae-positive samples was consistent with previous studies. Furthermore, the results were consistent with the array of virulence factors identified in an in vitro study of P. larvae exoprotein fractions. Although an S-layer protein and a putative bacteriocin were highlighted as important, the microbial collagenase ColA and InhA were not found in our samples. The most important virulence factor identified was isoform of neutral metalloproteinase (UniProt: V9WB82), a major protein marker responsible for the shift in the PCA biplot. This protein is associated with larval decay and together with other virulence factors (bacteriocin) can play a key role in protection against secondary invaders. Overall, this study provides new knowledge on host-pathogen interactions and a new methodical approach to study the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Erban
- Proteomics and Metabolomics Laboratory, Crop Research Institute, Prague, Czechia
| | - Bruno Sopko
- Proteomics and Metabolomics Laboratory, Crop Research Institute, Prague, Czechia
| | - Miroslava Bodrinova
- Proteomics and Metabolomics Laboratory, Crop Research Institute, Prague, Czechia
| | - Pavel Talacko
- Proteomics Core Facility, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Julie Chalupnikova
- Proteomics and Metabolomics Laboratory, Crop Research Institute, Prague, Czechia
| | - Martin Markovic
- Proteomics and Metabolomics Laboratory, Crop Research Institute, Prague, Czechia
| | - Martin Kamler
- Bee Research Institute at Dol, Libcice nad Vltavou, Czechia
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Biology, Genetic Diversity, and Conservation of Wild Bees in Tree Fruit Orchards. BIOLOGY 2022; 12:biology12010031. [PMID: 36671724 PMCID: PMC9854918 DOI: 10.3390/biology12010031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Different species of bees provide essential ecosystem services by pollinating various agricultural crops, including tree fruits. Many fruits and nuts depend on insect pollination, primarily by wild and managed bees. In different geographical regions where orchard crops are grown, fruit growers rely on wild bees in the farmscape and use orchard bees as alternative pollinators. Orchard crops such as apples, pears, plums, apricots, etc., are mass-flowering crops and attract many different bee species during their bloom period. Many bee species found in orchards emerge from overwintering as the fruit trees start flowering in spring, and the active duration of these bees aligns very closely with the blooming time of fruit trees. In addition, most of the bees in orchards are short-range foragers and tend to stay close to the fruit crops. However, the importance of orchard bee communities is not well understood, and many challenges in maintaining their populations remain. This comprehensive review paper summarizes the different types of bees commonly found in tree fruit orchards in the fruit-growing regions of the United States, their bio-ecology, and genetic diversity. Additionally, recommendations for the management of orchard bees, different strategies for protecting them from multiple stressors, and providing suitable on-farm nesting and floral resource habitats for propagation and conservation are discussed.
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Type IV Pili Are a Critical Virulence Factor in Clinical Isolates of Paenibacillus thiaminolyticus. mBio 2022; 13:e0268822. [PMID: 36374038 PMCID: PMC9765702 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02688-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Hydrocephalus, the leading indication for childhood neurosurgery worldwide, is particularly prevalent in low- and middle-income countries. Hydrocephalus preceded by an infection, or postinfectious hydrocephalus, accounts for up to 60% of hydrocephalus in these areas. Since many children with hydrocephalus suffer poor long-term outcomes despite surgical intervention, prevention of hydrocephalus remains paramount. Our previous studies implicated a novel bacterial pathogen, Paenibacillus thiaminolyticus, as a causal agent of neonatal sepsis and postinfectious hydrocephalus in Uganda. Here, we report the isolation of three P. thiaminolyticus strains, Mbale, Mbale2, and Mbale3, from patients with postinfectious hydrocephalus. We constructed complete genome assemblies of the clinical isolates as well as the nonpathogenic P. thiaminolyticus reference strain and performed comparative genomic and proteomic analyses to identify potential virulence factors. All three isolates carry a unique beta-lactamase gene, and two of the three isolates exhibit resistance in culture to the beta-lactam antibiotics penicillin and ampicillin. In addition, a cluster of genes carried on a mobile genetic element that encodes a putative type IV pilus operon is present in all three clinical isolates but absent in the reference strain. CRISPR-mediated deletion of the gene cluster substantially reduced the virulence of the Mbale strain in mice. Comparative proteogenomic analysis identified various additional potential virulence factors likely acquired on mobile genetic elements in the virulent strains. These results provide insight into the emergence of virulence in P. thiaminolyticus and suggest avenues for the diagnosis and treatment of this novel bacterial pathogen. IMPORTANCE Postinfectious hydrocephalus, a devastating sequela of neonatal infection, is associated with increased childhood mortality and morbidity. A novel bacterial pathogen, Paenibacillus thiaminolyticus, is highly associated with postinfectious hydrocephalus in an African cohort. Whole-genome sequencing, RNA sequencing, and proteomics of clinical isolates and a reference strain in combination with CRISPR editing identified type IV pili as a critical virulence factor for P. thiaminolyticus infection. Acquisition of a type IV pilus-encoding mobile genetic element critically contributed to converting a nonpathogenic strain of P. thiaminolyticus into a pathogen capable of causing devastating diseases. Given the widespread presence of type IV pilus in pathogens, the presence of the type IV pilus operon could serve as a diagnostic and therapeutic target in P. thiaminolyticus and related bacteria.
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43
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Biocontrol potential of Apilactobacillus kunkeei EIR/BG-1 against infectious diseases in honey bees (Apis mellifera L.). Vet Res Commun 2022; 47:753-765. [DOI: 10.1007/s11259-022-10036-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
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44
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Chemical Composition and Biological Activity of Argentinian Propolis of Four Species of Stingless Bees. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27227686. [PMID: 36431788 PMCID: PMC9697202 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27227686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The chemical composition of propolis of four species of stingless bees (SLBs) from Argentina was determined, and its antibacterial and anticancer activity was evaluated on selected types of microbes and cancer cell lines. Volatile secretions of all propolis samples are formed by 174 C2-C15 organic compounds, mainly mono- and sesquiterpenes and their derivatives. The chromatograms of ether extracts showed 287 peaks, of which 210 were identified. The most representative groups in the extracts of various propolis samples were diterpenoids (mainly resin acids), triterpenoids and phenolic compounds: long-chain alkenyl phenols, resorcinols and salicylates. The composition of both volatile and extractive compounds turned out to be species-specific; however, in both cases, the pairwise similarity of the propolis of Scaptotrigona postica and Tetragonisca fiebrigi versus that of Tetragona clavipes and Melipona quadrifasciata quadrifasciata was observed, which indicated the similarity of the preferences of the respective species when choosing plant sources of resin. The composition of the studied extracts completely lacked flavonoids and phenolcarboxylic acids, which are usually associated with the biological activity and medicinal properties of propolis. However, tests on selected microbial species and cancer cell lines showed such activity. All propolis samples tested against Paenibacillus larvae, two species of Bacillus and E. coli showed biofilm inhibition unrelated to the inhibition of bacterial growth, leading to a decrease in their pathogenicity. Testing the anticancer activity of ether extracts using five types of cell cultures showed that all four types of propolis studied inhibit the growth of cancer cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Propolis harvested by T. clavipes demonstrated the highest cytotoxicity on all tested cell lines.
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45
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Gorrochategui-Ortega J, Muñoz-Colmenero M, Kovačić M, Filipi J, Puškadija Z, Kezić N, Parejo M, Büchler R, Estonba A, Zarraonaindia I. A short exposure to a semi-natural habitat alleviates the honey bee hive microbial imbalance caused by agricultural stress. Sci Rep 2022; 12:18832. [PMID: 36336704 PMCID: PMC9637708 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-23287-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Honeybee health and the species' gut microbiota are interconnected. Also noteworthy are the multiple niches present within hives, each with distinct microbiotas and all coexisting, which we termed "apibiome". External stressors (e.g. anthropization) can compromise microbial balance and bee resilience. We hypothesised that (1) the bacterial communities of hives located in areas with different degrees of anthropization differ in composition, and (2) due to interactions between the multiple microbiomes within the apibiome, changes in the community of a niche would impact the bacteria present in other hive sections. We characterised the bacterial consortia of different niches (bee gut, bee bread, hive entrance and internal hive air) of 43 hives from 3 different environments (agricultural, semi-natural and natural) through 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Agricultural samples presented lower community evenness, depletion of beneficial bacteria, and increased recruitment of stress related pathways (predicted via PICRUSt2). The taxonomic and functional composition of gut and hive entrance followed an environmental gradient. Arsenophonus emerged as a possible indicator of anthropization, gradually decreasing in abundance from agriculture to the natural environment in multiple niches. Importantly, after 16 days of exposure to a semi-natural landscape hives showed intermediate profiles, suggesting alleviation of microbial dysbiosis through reduction of anthropization.
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Affiliation(s)
- June Gorrochategui-Ortega
- grid.11480.3c0000000121671098Department of Genetics, Physical Anthropology and Animal Physiology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Barrio Sarriena s/n, 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Marta Muñoz-Colmenero
- grid.11480.3c0000000121671098Department of Genetics, Physical Anthropology and Animal Physiology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Barrio Sarriena s/n, 48940 Leioa, Spain ,grid.419099.c0000 0001 1945 7711Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas (CSIC)/Institute of Marine Research, Eduardo Cabello 6, 36208 Vigo, Pontevedra Spain
| | - Marin Kovačić
- grid.412680.90000 0001 1015 399XFaculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, V.Preloga 1, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Janja Filipi
- grid.424739.f0000 0001 2159 1688Department of Ecology, Agronomy and Aquaculture, University of Zadar, Trg Kneza Višeslava 9, 23000 Zadar, Croatia
| | - Zlatko Puškadija
- grid.412680.90000 0001 1015 399XFaculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, V.Preloga 1, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Nikola Kezić
- grid.4808.40000 0001 0657 4636Department of Fisheries, Apiculture and Special Zoology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Svetošimunska Cesta 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Melanie Parejo
- grid.11480.3c0000000121671098Department of Genetics, Physical Anthropology and Animal Physiology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Barrio Sarriena s/n, 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Ralph Büchler
- grid.506460.10000 0004 4679 6788Landesbetrieb Landwirtschaft Hessen (LLH), Bieneninstitut, Erlenstraße 9, 35274 Kirchhain, Germany
| | - Andone Estonba
- grid.11480.3c0000000121671098Department of Genetics, Physical Anthropology and Animal Physiology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Barrio Sarriena s/n, 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Iratxe Zarraonaindia
- grid.11480.3c0000000121671098Department of Genetics, Physical Anthropology and Animal Physiology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Barrio Sarriena s/n, 48940 Leioa, Spain ,grid.424810.b0000 0004 0467 2314IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
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Bikaun JM, Bates T, Bollen M, Flematti GR, Melonek J, Praveen P, Grassl J. Volatile biomarkers for non-invasive detection of American foulbrood, a threat to honey bee pollination services. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 845:157123. [PMID: 35810895 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Honey bees provide essential environmental services, pollinating both agricultural and natural ecosystems that are crucial for human health. However, these pollination services are under threat by outbreaks of the bacterial honey bee disease American foulbrood (AFB). Caused by the bacterium, Paenibacillus larvae, AFB kills honey bee larvae, converting the biomass to a foul smelling, spore-laden mass. Due to the bacterium's tough endospores, which are easily spread and extremely persistent, AFB management requires the destruction of infected colonies in many countries. AFB detection remains a significant problem for beekeepers: diagnosis is often slow, relying on beekeepers visually identifying symptoms in the colony and molecular confirmation. Delayed detection can result in large outbreaks during high-density beekeeping pollination events, jeopardising livelihoods and food security. In an effort to improve diagnostics, we investigated volatile compounds associated with AFB-diseased brood in vitro and in beehive air. Using Solid Phase Microextraction and Gas Chromatography Mass-Spectrometry, we identified 40 compounds as volatile biomarkers for AFB infections, including 16 compounds previously unreported in honey bee studies. In the field, we detected half of the biomarkers in situ (in beehive air) and demonstrated their sensitivity and accuracy for diagnosing AFB. The most sensitive volatile biomarker, 2,5-dimethylpyrazine, was exclusively detected in AFB-disease larvae and hives, and was detectable in beehives with <10 AFB-symptomatic larvae. These, to our knowledge, previously undescribed biomarkers are prime candidates to be targeted by a portable sensor device for rapid and non-invasive diagnosis of AFB in beehives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica M Bikaun
- Cooperative Research Centre for Honey Bee Products, Yanchep, Australia; Honey Bee Health Research Group, School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
| | - Tiffane Bates
- Cooperative Research Centre for Honey Bee Products, Yanchep, Australia; Honey Bee Health Research Group, School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
| | - Maike Bollen
- Metabolomics Australia, Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
| | - Gavin R Flematti
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
| | - Joanna Melonek
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Australia
| | - Praveen Praveen
- Cooperative Research Centre for Honey Bee Products, Yanchep, Australia; Honey Bee Health Research Group, School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
| | - Julia Grassl
- Cooperative Research Centre for Honey Bee Products, Yanchep, Australia; Honey Bee Health Research Group, School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia.
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47
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Mayack C, Hakanoğlu H. Honey Bee Pathogen Prevalence and Interactions within the Marmara Region of Turkey. Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9100573. [PMID: 36288185 PMCID: PMC9610934 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9100573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Beekeeping has yet to reach its full potential in terms of productivity in Turkey where it has a relatively large role in the economy. Poor colony health is suspected to be the reason for this, but comprehensive disease monitoring programs are lacking to support this notion. We sampled a total of 115 colonies across five different apiaries throughout the Marmara region of Turkey and screened for all of the major bee pathogens using PCR and RNA-seq methods. We found that Varroa mites are more prevalent in comparison to Nosema infections. The pathogens ABPV, DWV, KV, and VDV1 are near 100% prevalent and are the most abundant across all locations, which are known to be vectored by the Varroa mite. We therefore suspect that controlling Varroa mites will be key for improving bee health in Turkey moving forward. We also documented significant interactions between DWV, KV, and VDV1, which may explain how the more virulent strain of the virus becomes abundant. ABPV had a positive interaction with VDV1, thereby possibly facilitating this more virulent viral strain, but a negative interaction with Nosema ceranae. Therefore, these complex pathogen interactions should be taken into consideration in the future to improve bee health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Mayack
- Molecular Biology, Genetics, and Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabancı University, İstanbul 34956, Turkey
| | - Haşim Hakanoğlu
- Molecular Biology, Genetics, and Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabancı University, İstanbul 34956, Turkey
- Department of Entomology, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
- Correspondence:
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Dickel F, Bos NMP, Hughes H, Martín-Hernández R, Higes M, Kleiser A, Freitak D. The oral vaccination with Paenibacillus larvae bacterin can decrease susceptibility to American Foulbrood infection in honey bees—A safety and efficacy study. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:946237. [PMID: 36325099 PMCID: PMC9618583 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.946237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Pollination services to increase crop production are becoming more and more important, as we are facing both climate change and a growing world population. Both are predicted to impact food security worldwide. High-density, commercial beekeeping has become a key link in the food supply chain, and diseases have become a central issue in hive losses around the world. American Foulbrood (AFB) disease is a highly contagious bacterial brood disease in honey bees (Apis mellifera), leading to hive losses worldwide. The causative agent is the Gram+ bacterium Paenibacillus larvae, which is able to infect honey bee larvae during the first 3 days of their lives. It can be found in hives around the world with viable spores for decades. Antibiotics are largely ineffective in treating the disease as they are only efficient against the vegetative state. Once a hive shows the clinical manifestation of the disease, the only effective way to eradicate it and prevent the spread of the disease is by burning the hive, the equipment, and the colony. Because of its virulent nature and detrimental effects on honey bee colonies, AFB is classified as a notifiable disease worldwide. Effective, safe, and sustainable methods are needed to ensure the wellbeing of honey bee colonies. Even though insects lack antibodies, which are the main requisites for trans-generational immune priming (TGIP), they can prime their offspring against persisting pathogens. Here, we demonstrate an increased survival of infected honey bee larvae after their queen was vaccinated, compared to offspring of control queens (placebo vaccinated). These results indicate that TGIP in insects can be used to majorly enhance colony health, protect commercial pollinators from deadly diseases, and reduce high financial and material losses to beekeepers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Dickel
- Institute of Biology, Karl-Franzens University, Graz, Austria
- Dalan Animal Health, Inc., Ojai, CA, United States
| | | | - Huw Hughes
- Echo Veterinary Consulting, Saint-Hippolyte, QC, Canada
| | - Raquel Martín-Hernández
- Laboratorio de Patología Apícola, Centro de Investigación Apícola y Agroambiental (CIAPA), Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal (IRIAF), Consejería de Agricultura de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, Marchamalo, Spain
| | - Mariano Higes
- Laboratorio de Patología Apícola, Centro de Investigación Apícola y Agroambiental (CIAPA), Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal (IRIAF), Consejería de Agricultura de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, Marchamalo, Spain
| | | | - Dalial Freitak
- Institute of Biology, Karl-Franzens University, Graz, Austria
- Dalan Animal Health, Inc., Ojai, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Dalial Freitak
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49
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The Application of MALDI-TOF MS for a Variability Study of Paenibacillus larvae. Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9100521. [PMID: 36288134 PMCID: PMC9610059 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9100521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary An understanding of Paenibacillus larvae, the etiological agent of American foulbrood disease, species diversity is crucial for disease epidemiology investigations. Our data indicate that the protein fingerprinting-based MALDI-TOF method provides a much more thorough insight into P. larvae diversity compared to the DNA fingerprinting methods used at present. Abstract In recent decades, the significant deterioration of the health status of honey bees has been observed throughout the world. One of the most severe factors affecting the health of bee colonies worldwide is American foulbrood disease. This devastating disease, with no known cure, is caused by the Gram-positive spore-forming bacteria of Paenibacillus larvae species. At present, DNA-based methods are being used for P. larvae identification and typing. In our study, we compare two of the most advanced DNA-based technologies (rep-PCR and 16S rRNA analyses) with MALDI-TOF MS fingerprinting to evaluate P. larvae variability in Central Europe. While 16S rRNA analysis presents a very limited variation among the strains, MALDI-TOF MS is observed to be more efficient at differentiating P. larvae. Remarkably, no clear correlation is observed between whole-genome rep-PCR fingerprinting and MALDI-TOF MS-based typing. Our data indicate that MALDI-TOF protein profiling provides accurate and cost-effective methods for the rapid identification of P. larvae strains and provides novel perspectives on strain diversity compared to conventional DNA-based genotyping approaches. The current study provides a good foundation for future studies.
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50
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Sacbrood Virus: A Growing Threat to Honeybees and Wild Pollinators. Viruses 2022; 14:v14091871. [PMID: 36146677 PMCID: PMC9505205 DOI: 10.3390/v14091871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Sacbrood virus (SBV) is one of the many viruses that infect both the Western honeybee (Apis mellifera) and the Eastern honeybee (Apis cerana). Recently, the interspecies transmission of SBV has been discovered, especially among wild pollinators. This newly discovered evolutionary occurrence regarding SBV indicates a much wider host range than previously believed, causing further concern about the future sustainability of agriculture and the resilience of ecosystems. Over the past few decades, vast numbers of studies have been undertaken concerning SBV infection in honeybees, and remarkable progress has been made in our understanding of the epidemiology, pathogenesis, transmission, and manifestations of SBV infection in honeybees and other pollinators. Meanwhile, some methods, including Chinese medicine, have been established to control and prevent sacbrood disease in A. cerana in Asian countries. In this review, we summarize the existing knowledge of SBV and address the gaps in the knowledge within the existing literature in the hope of providing future directions for the research and development of management strategies for controlling the spread of this deadly disease.
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