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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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Yuan X, Kadowaki T. Protein subcellular relocalization and function of duplicated flagellar calcium binding protein genes in honey bee trypanosomatid parasite. PLoS Genet 2024; 20:e1011195. [PMID: 38437202 PMCID: PMC10939215 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1011195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The honey bee trypanosomatid parasite, Lotmaria passim, contains two genes that encode the flagellar calcium binding protein (FCaBP) through tandem duplication in its genome. FCaBPs localize in the flagellum and entire body membrane of L. passim through specific N-terminal sorting sequences. This finding suggests that this is an example of protein subcellular relocalization resulting from gene duplication, altering the intracellular localization of FCaBP. However, this phenomenon may not have occurred in Leishmania, as one or both of the duplicated genes have become pseudogenes. Multiple copies of the FCaBP gene are present in several Trypanosoma species and Leptomonas pyrrhocoris, indicating rapid evolution of this gene in trypanosomatid parasites. The N-terminal flagellar sorting sequence of L. passim FCaBP1 is in close proximity to the BBSome complex, while that of Trypanosoma brucei FCaBP does not direct GFP to the flagellum in L. passim. Deletion of the two FCaBP genes in L. passim affected growth and impaired flagellar morphogenesis and motility, but it did not impact host infection. Therefore, FCaBP represents a duplicated gene with a rapid evolutionary history that is essential for flagellar structure and function in a trypanosomatid parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuye Yuan
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou Dushu Lake Higher Education Town, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Tatsuhiko Kadowaki
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou Dushu Lake Higher Education Town, Jiangsu Province, China
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Yuan X, Sun J, Kadowaki T. Aspartyl protease in the secretome of honey bee trypanosomatid parasite contributes to infection of bees. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:60. [PMID: 38341595 PMCID: PMC10859015 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06126-7] [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: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The exoproteome, which consists of both secreted proteins and those originating from cell surfaces and lysed cells, is a critical component of trypanosomatid parasites, facilitating interactions with host cells and gut microbiota. However, its specific roles in the insect hosts of these parasites remain poorly understood. METHODS We conducted a comprehensive characterization of the exoproteome in Lotmaria passim, a trypanosomatid parasite infecting honey bees, under culture conditions. We further investigated the functions of two conventionally secreted proteins, aspartyl protease (LpAsp) and chitinase (LpCht), as representative models to elucidate the role of the secretome in L. passim infection of honey bees. RESULTS Approximately 48% of L. passim exoproteome proteins were found to share homologs with those found in seven Leishmania spp., suggesting the existence of a core exoproteome with conserved functions in the Leishmaniinae lineage. Bioinformatics analyses suggested that the L. passim exoproteome may play a pivotal role in interactions with both the host and its microbiota. Notably, the deletion of genes encoding two secretome proteins revealed the important role of LpAsp, but not LpCht, in L. passim development under culture conditions and its efficiency in infecting the honey bee gut. CONCLUSIONS Our results highlight the exoproteome as a valuable resource for unraveling the mechanisms employed by trypanosomatid parasites to infect insect hosts by interacting with the gut environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuye Yuan
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, 111 Ren'ai Road, Suzhou Dushu Lake Higher Education Town, 215123, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jianying Sun
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, 111 Ren'ai Road, Suzhou Dushu Lake Higher Education Town, 215123, Jiangsu, China
| | - Tatsuhiko Kadowaki
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, 111 Ren'ai Road, Suzhou Dushu Lake Higher Education Town, 215123, Jiangsu, China.
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Aguado-López D, Bartolomé C, Lopes AR, Henriques D, Segura SK, Maside X, Pinto MA, Higes M, Martín-Hernández R. Frequent Parasitism of Apis mellifera by Trypanosomatids in Geographically Isolated Areas with Restricted Beekeeping Movements. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2023; 86:2655-2665. [PMID: 37480517 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-023-02266-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosomatids form a group of high prevalence protozoa that parasitise honey bees, with Lotmaria passim as the predominant species worldwide. However, the knowledge about the ecology of trypanosomatids in isolated areas is limited. The Portuguese archipelagos of Madeira and Azores provide an interesting setting to investigate these parasites because of their geographic isolation, and because they harbour honey bee populations devoid of two major enemies: Varroa destructor and Nosema ceranae. Hence, a total of 661 honey bee colonies from Madeira and the Azores were analysed using different molecular techniques, through which we found a high prevalence of trypanosomatids despite the isolation of these islands. L. passim was the predominant species and, in most colonies, was the only one found, even on islands free of V. destructor and/or N. ceranae with severe restrictions on colony movements to prevent the spread of them. However, islands with V. destructor had a significantly higher prevalence of L. passim and, conversely, islands with N. ceranae did not shown any significant correlation with the trypanosomatid. Crithidia bombi was detected in Madeira and on three islands of the Azores, almost always coincident with L. passim. By contrast, Crithidia mellificae was not detected in any sample. A high-throughput sequencing analysis distinguished two main haplotypes of L. passim, which accounted for 98% of the total sequence reads. This work suggests that L. passim and C. bombi are parasites that have been associated with honey bees predating the spread of V. destructor and N. ceranae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Aguado-López
- Laboratorio de Patología Apícola, IRIAF-Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal, Centro de Investigación Apícola Y Agroambiental (CIAPA), Consejería de Agricultura de La Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, Camino de San Martín S/N, 19180, Marchamalo, Spain
| | - Carolina Bartolomé
- Grupo de Medicina Xenómica, CIMUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Galicia, Spain
| | - Ana Rita Lopes
- Centro de Investigação de Montanha, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253, Bragança, Portugal
- Laboratório Associado Para a Sustentabilidade E Tecnologia Em Regiões de Montanha (SusTEC), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253, Bragança, Portugal
| | - Dora Henriques
- Centro de Investigação de Montanha, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253, Bragança, Portugal
- Laboratório Associado Para a Sustentabilidade E Tecnologia Em Regiões de Montanha (SusTEC), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253, Bragança, Portugal
| | - Sara Kafafi Segura
- Zoología Y Antropología Física, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28014, Madrid, Spain
| | - Xulio Maside
- Grupo de Medicina Xenómica, CIMUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Galicia, Spain
| | - M Alice Pinto
- Centro de Investigação de Montanha, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253, Bragança, Portugal
- Laboratório Associado Para a Sustentabilidade E Tecnologia Em Regiões de Montanha (SusTEC), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253, Bragança, Portugal
| | - Mariano Higes
- Laboratorio de Patología Apícola, IRIAF-Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal, Centro de Investigación Apícola Y Agroambiental (CIAPA), Consejería de Agricultura de La Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, Camino de San Martín S/N, 19180, Marchamalo, Spain
| | - Raquel Martín-Hernández
- Laboratorio de Patología Apícola, IRIAF-Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal, Centro de Investigación Apícola Y Agroambiental (CIAPA), Consejería de Agricultura de La Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, Camino de San Martín S/N, 19180, Marchamalo, Spain.
- Instituto de Recursos Humanos Para La Ciencia Y La Tecnología (INCRECYT-FSE/EC-ESF), Fundación Parque Científico y Tecnológico de Castilla-La Mancha, 02006, Albacete, Spain.
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Yamamoto S, Nakamura S, Nakayama K, Kusakisako K, Watanabe K, Ikadai H, Tanabe T. Molecular detection of Lotmaria passim in honeybees in Japan. Parasitol Int 2023; 93:102711. [PMID: 36414198 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2022.102711] [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: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Crithidia mellificae (C. mellificae) and Lotmaria passim (L. passim) are trypanosomatids that infect Apis mellifera. We analyzed the prevalence of C. mellificae and L. passim in six regions of Japan from 2018 to 2019. The detection rate of C. mellificae was 0.0% in all regions, whereas L. passim was detected in 16.7%-66.7% of the honeybees. L. passim was detected at a significantly lower rate in the Cyugoku-Shikoku region than in other regions. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) locus of related species was performed. All the samples in this study could be assigned to the L. passim clade. This study reveals that L. passim infection is predominantly prevalent in Japan. Further epidemiological surveys are needed to clarify the prevalence of C. mellificae infection in honeybees in Japan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satomi Yamamoto
- Laboratory of Veterinary Microbiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Towada, Aomori 034-8628, Japan
| | - Sakure Nakamura
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Towada, Aomori 034-8628, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Nakayama
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Towada, Aomori 034-8628, Japan
| | - Kodai Kusakisako
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Towada, Aomori 034-8628, Japan
| | | | - Hiromi Ikadai
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Towada, Aomori 034-8628, Japan.
| | - Taishi Tanabe
- Laboratory of Veterinary Microbiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Towada, Aomori 034-8628, Japan
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Barranco-Gómez O, De Paula JC, Parada JS, Gómez-Moracho T, Marfil AV, Zafra M, Orantes Bermejo FJ, Osuna A, De Pablos LM. Development of a TaqMan qPCR assay for trypanosomatid multi-species detection and quantification in insects. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:69. [PMID: 36788540 PMCID: PMC9930332 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05687-3] [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: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trypanosomatid parasites are widely distributed in nature and can have a monoxenous or dixenous life-cycle. These parasites thrive in a wide number of insect orders, some of which have an important economic and environmental value, such as bees. The objective of this study was to develop a robust and sensitive real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay for detecting trypanosomatid parasites in any type of parasitized insect sample. METHODS A TaqMan qPCR assay based on a trypanosomatid-conserved region of the α-tubulin gene was standardized and evaluated. The limits of detection, sensitivity and versatility of the α-tubulin TaqMan assay were tested and validated using field samples of honeybee workers, wild bees, bumblebees and grasshoppers, as well as in the human infective trypanosomatid Leishmania major. RESULTS The assay showed a detection limit of 1 parasite equivalent/µl and successfully detected trypanosomatids in 10 different hosts belonging to the insect orders Hymenoptera and Orthoptera. The methodology was also tested using honeybee samples from four apiaries (n = 224 worker honeybees) located in the Alpujarra region (Granada, Spain). Trypanosomatids were detected in 2.7% of the honeybees, with an intra-colony prevalence of 0% to 13%. Parasite loads in the four different classes of insects ranged from 40.6 up to 1.1 × 108 cell equivalents per host. CONCLUSIONS These results show that the α-tubulin TaqMan qPCR assay described here is a versatile diagnostic tool for the accurate detection and quantification of trypanosomatids in a wide range of environmental settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Barranco-Gómez
- Departamento de Parasitología, Grupo de Bioquímica y Parasitología Molecular CTS-183, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain.,Institute of Biotechnology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Jessica Carreira De Paula
- Departamento de Parasitología, Grupo de Bioquímica y Parasitología Molecular CTS-183, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain.,Institute of Biotechnology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Jennifer Solano Parada
- Departamento de Parasitología, Grupo de Bioquímica y Parasitología Molecular CTS-183, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain.,Institute of Biotechnology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Tamara Gómez-Moracho
- Departamento de Parasitología, Grupo de Bioquímica y Parasitología Molecular CTS-183, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain.,Institute of Biotechnology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Ana Vic Marfil
- Departamento de Parasitología, Grupo de Bioquímica y Parasitología Molecular CTS-183, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - María Zafra
- Departamento de Parasitología, Grupo de Bioquímica y Parasitología Molecular CTS-183, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | | | - Antonio Osuna
- Departamento de Parasitología, Grupo de Bioquímica y Parasitología Molecular CTS-183, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain.,Institute of Biotechnology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Luis Miguel De Pablos
- Departamento de Parasitología, Grupo de Bioquímica y Parasitología Molecular CTS-183, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain. .,Institute of Biotechnology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
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The Activity of Red Nigerian Propolis and Some of Its Components against Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma congolense. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 28:molecules28020622. [PMID: 36677679 PMCID: PMC9860874 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28020622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 01/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Propolis is a resin that is gathered by bees from exudates produced by various plants. Its exact chemical composition depends on the plants available near the hive. Bees use propolis to coat the surfaces of the hive, where it acts as an anti-infective. Regardless of the chemical composition of propolis, it is always anti-protozoal, probably because protozoan parasites, particularly Lotmarium passim, are widespread in bee populations. The protozoa Trypanosoma brucei and T. congolense cause disease in humans and/or animals. The existing drugs for treating these diseases are old and resistance is an increasingly severe problem. The many types of propolis present a rich source of anti-trypanosomal compounds-from a material gathered by bees in an environmentally friendly way. In the current work, red Nigerian propolis from Rivers State, Nigeria was tested against T. brucei and T. congolense and found to be highly active (EC50 1.66 and 4.00 µg/mL, respectively). Four isoflavonoids, vestitol, neovestitol, 7-methylvestitol and medicarpin, were isolated from the propolis. The isolated compounds were also tested against T. brucei and T. congolense, and vestitol displayed the highest activity at 3.86 and 4.36 µg/mL, respectively. Activities against drug-resistant forms of T. brucei and T. congolense were similar to those against wild type.
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Barribeau SM, Schmid-Hempel P, Walser JC, Zoller S, Berchtold M, Schmid-Hempel R, Zemp N. Genetic variation and microbiota in bumble bees cross-infected by different strains of C. bombi. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0277041. [PMID: 36441679 PMCID: PMC9704641 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The bumblebee Bombus terrestris is commonly infected by a trypanosomatid gut parasite Crithidia bombi. This system shows a striking degree of genetic specificity where host genotypes are susceptible to different genotypes of parasite. To a degree, variation in host gene expression underlies these differences, however, the effects of standing genetic variation has not yet been explored. Here we report on an extensive experiment where workers of twenty colonies of B. terrestris were each infected by one of twenty strains of C. bombi. To elucidate the host's genetic bases of susceptibility to infection (measured as infection intensity), we used a low-coverage (~2 x) genome-wide association study (GWAS), based on angsd, and a standard high-coverage (~15x) GWAS (with a reduced set from a 8 x 8 interaction matrix, selected from the full set of twenty). The results from the low-coverage approach remained ambiguous. The high-coverage approach suggested potentially relevant genetic variation in cell surface and adhesion processes. In particular, mucin, a surface mucoglycoprotein, potentially affecting parasite binding to the host gut epithelia, emerged as a candidate. Sequencing the gut microbial community of the same bees showed that the abundance of bacterial taxa, such as Gilliamella, Snodgrassella, or Lactobacillus, differed between 'susceptible' and 'resistant' microbiota, in line with earlier studies. Our study suggests that the constitutive microbiota and binding processes at the cell surface are candidates to affect infection intensity after the first response (captured by gene expression) has run its course. We also note that a low-coverage approach may not be powerful enough to analyse such complex traits. Furthermore, testing large interactions matrices (as with the full 20 x 20 combinations) for the effect of interaction terms on infection intensity seems to blur the specific host x parasite interaction effects, likely because the outcome of an infection is a highly non-linear process dominated by variation in individually different pathways of host defence (immune) responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seth M. Barribeau
- Institute of Integrative Biology (IBZ), ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Paul Schmid-Hempel
- Institute of Integrative Biology (IBZ), ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- * E-mail: (NZ); (PSH)
| | | | - Stefan Zoller
- Genetic Diversity Centre, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Martina Berchtold
- Institute of Integrative Biology (IBZ), ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Niklaus Zemp
- Genetic Diversity Centre, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- * E-mail: (NZ); (PSH)
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Bartolomé C, Buendía-Abad M, Ornosa C, De la Rúa P, Martín-Hernández R, Higes M, Maside X. Bee Trypanosomatids: First Steps in the Analysis of the Genetic Variation and Population Structure of Lotmaria passim, Crithidia bombi and Crithidia mellificae. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2022; 84:856-867. [PMID: 34609533 PMCID: PMC9622509 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-021-01882-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosomatids are among the most prevalent parasites in bees but, despite the fact that their impact on the colonies can be quite important and that their infectivity may potentially depend on their genotypes, little is known about the population diversity of these pathogens. Here we cloned and sequenced three non-repetitive single copy loci (DNA topoisomerase II, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and RNA polymerase II large subunit, RPB1) to produce new genetic data from Crithidia bombi, C. mellificae and Lotmaria passim isolated from honeybees and bumblebees. These were analysed by applying population genetic tools in order to quantify and compare their variability within and between species, and to obtain information on their demography and population structure. The general pattern for the three species was that (1) they were subject to the action of purifying selection on nonsynonymous variants, (2) the levels of within species diversity were similar irrespective of the host, (3) there was evidence of recombination among haplotypes and (4) they showed no haplotype structuring according to the host. C. bombi exhibited the lowest levels of synonymous variation (πS= 0.06 ± 0.04 %) - and a mutation frequency distribution compatible with a population expansion after a bottleneck - that contrasted with the extensive polymorphism displayed by C. mellificae (πS= 2.24 ± 1.00 %), which likely has a more ancient origin. L. passim showed intermediate values (πS= 0.40 ± 0.28 %) and an excess of variants a low frequencies probably linked to the spread of this species to new geographical areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Bartolomé
- Grupo de Medicina Xenómica, CIMUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain.
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain.
| | - María Buendía-Abad
- Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal (IRIAF), Laboratorio de Patología Apícola, Centro de Investigación Apícola y Agroambiental (CIAPA), Consejería de Agricultura de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, 19180, Marchamalo, Spain
| | - Concepción Ornosa
- Departamento de Biodiversidad, Ecología y Evolución, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pilar De la Rúa
- Departamento de Zoología y Antropología Física, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - Raquel Martín-Hernández
- Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal (IRIAF), Laboratorio de Patología Apícola, Centro de Investigación Apícola y Agroambiental (CIAPA), Consejería de Agricultura de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, 19180, Marchamalo, Spain
- Instituto de Recursos Humanos para la Ciencia y la Tecnología, Fundación Parque Científico Tecnológico de Albacete, 02006, Albacete, Spain
| | - Mariano Higes
- Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal (IRIAF), Laboratorio de Patología Apícola, Centro de Investigación Apícola y Agroambiental (CIAPA), Consejería de Agricultura de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, 19180, Marchamalo, Spain
| | - Xulio Maside
- Grupo de Medicina Xenómica, CIMUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
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Palmer-Young EC, Markowitz LM, Grubbs K, Zhang Y, Corona M, Schwarz R, Chen Y, Evans JD. Antiparasitic effects of three floral volatiles on trypanosomatid infection in honey bees. J Invertebr Pathol 2022; 194:107830. [PMID: 36174749 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2022.107830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 08/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosomatid gut parasites are common in pollinators and costly for social bees. The recently described honey bee trypanosomatid Lotmaria passim is widespread, abundant, and correlated with colony losses in some studies. The potential for amelioration of infection by antimicrobial plant compounds has been thoroughly studied for closely related trypanosomatids of humans and is an area of active research in bumble bees, but remains relatively unexplored in honey bees. We recently identified several floral volatiles that inhibited growth of L. passim in vitro. Here, we tested the dose-dependent effects of four such compounds on infection, mortality, and food consumption in parasite-inoculated honey bees. We found that diets containing the monoterpenoid carvacrol and the phenylpropanoids cinnamaldehyde and eugenol at >10-fold the inhibitory concentrations for cell cultures reduced infection, with parasite numbers decreased by >90% for carvacrol and cinnamaldehyde and >99% for eugenol; effects of the carvacrol isomer thymol were non-significant. However, both carvacrol and eugenol also reduced bee survival, whereas parasite inoculation did not, indicating costs of phytochemical exposure that could exceed those of infection itself. To our knowledge, this is the first controlled screening of phytochemicals for effects on honey bee trypanosomatid infection, identifying potential treatments for managed bees afflicted with a newly characterized, cosmopolitan intestinal parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lindsey M Markowitz
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, USA; Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Kyle Grubbs
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, USA
| | - Yi Zhang
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, USA; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Miguel Corona
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, USA
| | - Ryan Schwarz
- Department of Biology, Fort Lewis College, Durango, CO, USA
| | - Yanping Chen
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, USA
| | - Jay D Evans
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, USA
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11
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Molecular Detection and Differentiation of Arthropod, Fungal, Protozoan, Bacterial and Viral Pathogens of Honeybees. Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9050221. [PMID: 35622749 PMCID: PMC9145064 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9050221] [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: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The honeybee Apis mellifera is highly appreciated worldwide because of its products, but also as it is a pollinator of crops and wild plants. The beehive is vulnerable to infections due to arthropods, fungi, protozoa, bacteria and/or viruses that manage to by-pass the individual and social immune mechanisms of bees. Due to the close proximity of bees in the beehive and their foraging habits, infections easily spread within and between beehives. Moreover, international trade of bees has caused the global spread of infections, several of which result in significant losses for apiculture. Only in a few cases can infections be diagnosed with the naked eye, by direct observation of the pathogen in the case of some arthropods, or by pathogen-associated distinctive traits. Development of molecular methods based on the amplification and analysis of one or more genes or genomic segments has brought significant progress to the study of bee pathogens, allowing for: (i) the precise and sensitive identification of the infectious agent; (ii) the analysis of co-infections; (iii) the description of novel species; (iv) associations between geno- and pheno-types and (v) population structure studies. Sequencing of bee pathogen genomes has allowed for the identification of new molecular targets and the development of specific genotypification strategies.
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12
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Alenezi SS, Alenezi ND, Ebiloma GU, Natto MJ, Ungogo MA, Igoli JO, Ferro VA, Gray AI, Fearnley J, de Koning HP, Watson DG. The Antiprotozoal Activity of Papua New Guinea Propolis and Its Triterpenes. Molecules 2022; 27:1622. [PMID: 35268726 PMCID: PMC8911803 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27051622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Profiling a propolis sample from Papua New Guinea (PNG) using high-resolution mass spectrometry indicated that it contained several triterpenoids. Further fractionation by column chromatography and medium-pressure liquid chromatography (MPLC) followed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) identified 12 triterpenoids. Five of these were obtained pure and the others as mixtures of two or three compounds. The compounds identified were: mangiferonic acid, ambonic acid, isomangiferolic acid, ambolic acid, 27-hydroxyisomangiferolic acid, cycloartenol, cycloeucalenol, 24-methylenecycloartenol, 20-hydroxybetulin, betulin, betulinic acid and madecassic acid. The fractions from the propolis and the purified compounds were tested in vitro against Crithidia fasciculata, Trypanosoma congolense, drug-resistant Trypanosoma congolense, Trypanosoma b. brucei and multidrug-resistant Trypanosoma b. brucei (B48). They were also assayed for their toxicity against U947 cells. The compounds and fractions displayed moderate to high activity against parasitic protozoa but only low cytotoxicity against the mammalian cells. The most active isolated compound, 20-hydroxybetulin, was found to be trypanostatic when different concentrations were tested against T. b. brucei growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samya S. Alenezi
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK; (S.S.A.); (N.D.A.); (V.A.F.); (A.I.G.)
| | - Naif D. Alenezi
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK; (S.S.A.); (N.D.A.); (V.A.F.); (A.I.G.)
| | - Godwin U. Ebiloma
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK; (G.U.E.); (M.J.N.); (M.A.U.); (J.O.I.)
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Teesside University, Middlesbrough TS1 3BX, UK
| | - Manal J. Natto
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK; (G.U.E.); (M.J.N.); (M.A.U.); (J.O.I.)
| | - Marzuq A. Ungogo
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK; (G.U.E.); (M.J.N.); (M.A.U.); (J.O.I.)
| | - John O. Igoli
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK; (G.U.E.); (M.J.N.); (M.A.U.); (J.O.I.)
- Phytochemistry Research Group, Department of Chemistry, University of Agriculture, Makurdi PMB 2373, Nigeria
| | - Valerie A. Ferro
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK; (S.S.A.); (N.D.A.); (V.A.F.); (A.I.G.)
| | - Alexander I. Gray
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK; (S.S.A.); (N.D.A.); (V.A.F.); (A.I.G.)
| | | | - Harry P. de Koning
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK; (G.U.E.); (M.J.N.); (M.A.U.); (J.O.I.)
| | - David G. Watson
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK; (S.S.A.); (N.D.A.); (V.A.F.); (A.I.G.)
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13
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Abstract
Nosemosis is a serious microsporidian disease of adult European honey bees caused by the spore-forming unicellular fungi Nosema apis and Nosema ceranae. In this paper we describe the currently known techniques for nosemosis prevention and control including Good Beekeeping Practices (GBPs) and biosecurity measures (BMBs). Topics such as queen renewal, nosema-resistant bees and hygienic and control methods are described. Strong efforts are currently provided to find more a sustainable solution than the use of antibiotics. So far, it seems that the best way to approach nosemosis is given by an “integrated pest management strategy”, which foresees the contemporary application of different, specific GBPs and BMBs.
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14
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McMenamin AJ, Parekh F, Lawrence V, Flenniken ML. Investigating Virus-Host Interactions in Cultured Primary Honey Bee Cells. INSECTS 2021; 12:653. [PMID: 34357313 PMCID: PMC8329929 DOI: 10.3390/insects12070653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 07/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Honey bee (Apis mellifera) health is impacted by viral infections at the colony, individual bee, and cellular levels. To investigate honey bee antiviral defense mechanisms at the cellular level we further developed the use of cultured primary cells, derived from either larvae or pupae, and demonstrated that these cells could be infected with a panel of viruses, including common honey bee infecting viruses (i.e., sacbrood virus (SBV) and deformed wing virus (DWV)) and an insect model virus, Flock House virus (FHV). Virus abundances were quantified over the course of infection. The production of infectious virions in cultured honey bee pupal cells was demonstrated by determining that naïve cells became infected after the transfer of deformed wing virus or Flock House virus from infected cell cultures. Initial characterization of the honey bee antiviral immune responses at the cellular level indicated that there were virus-specific responses, which included increased expression of bee antiviral protein-1 (GenBank: MF116383) in SBV-infected pupal cells and increased expression of argonaute-2 and dicer-like in FHV-infected hemocytes and pupal cells. Additional studies are required to further elucidate virus-specific honey bee antiviral defense mechanisms. The continued use of cultured primary honey bee cells for studies that involve multiple viruses will address this knowledge gap.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander J. McMenamin
- Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA; (A.J.M.); (F.P.); (V.L.)
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
- Pollinator Health Center, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
| | - Fenali Parekh
- Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA; (A.J.M.); (F.P.); (V.L.)
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
- Pollinator Health Center, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
| | - Verena Lawrence
- Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA; (A.J.M.); (F.P.); (V.L.)
- Pollinator Health Center, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
| | - Michelle L. Flenniken
- Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA; (A.J.M.); (F.P.); (V.L.)
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
- Pollinator Health Center, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
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15
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Alotaibi A, Ebiloma GU, Williams R, Alfayez IA, Natto MJ, Alenezi S, Siheri W, AlQarni M, Igoli JO, Fearnley J, De Koning HP, Watson DG. Activity of Compounds from Temperate Propolis against Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania mexicana. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26133912. [PMID: 34206940 PMCID: PMC8272135 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26133912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Ethanolic extracts of samples of temperate zone propolis, four from the UK and one from Poland, were tested against three Trypanosoma brucei strains and displayed EC50 values < 20 µg/mL. The extracts were fractionated, from which 12 compounds and one two-component mixture were isolated, and characterized by NMR and high-resolution mass spectrometry, as 3-acetoxypinobanksin, tectochrysin, kaempferol, pinocembrin, 4′-methoxykaempferol, galangin, chrysin, apigenin, pinostrobin, cinnamic acid, coumaric acid, cinnamyl ester/coumaric acid benzyl ester (mixture), 4′,7-dimethoxykaempferol, and naringenin 4′,7-dimethyl ether. The isolated compounds were tested against drug-sensitive and drug-resistant strains of T. brucei and Leishmania mexicana, with the highest activities ≤ 15 µM. The most active compounds against T. brucei were naringenin 4′,7 dimethyl ether and 4′methoxy kaempferol with activity of 15–20 µM against the three T. brucei strains. The most active compounds against L. mexicana were 4′,7-dimethoxykaempferol and the coumaric acid ester mixture, with EC50 values of 12.9 ± 3.7 µM and 13.1 ± 1.0 µM. No loss of activity was found with the diamidine- and arsenical-resistant or phenanthridine-resistant T. brucei strains, or the miltefosine-resistant L. mexicana strain; no clear structure activity relationship was observed for the isolated compounds. Temperate propolis yields multiple compounds with anti-kinetoplastid activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adullah Alotaibi
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK; (A.A.); (S.A.); (J.O.I.)
| | - Godwin U. Ebiloma
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK; (G.U.E.); (I.A.A.); (M.J.N.)
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Teesside University, Middlesbrough TS1 3BX, UK
| | - Roderick Williams
- IBEHR, School of Health and Life Science, University of the West of Scotland, High Street, Paisley PA1 2BE, UK;
| | - Ibrahim A. Alfayez
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK; (G.U.E.); (I.A.A.); (M.J.N.)
- Qassim Health Cluster, Ministry of Health, Buraydah 52367, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Clinical Pharmacy, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Manal J. Natto
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK; (G.U.E.); (I.A.A.); (M.J.N.)
| | - Sameah Alenezi
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK; (A.A.); (S.A.); (J.O.I.)
| | - Weam Siheri
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Natural Products, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tripoli, Tripoli 50676, Libya;
| | - Malik AlQarni
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Clinical Pharmacy, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia;
| | - John O. Igoli
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK; (A.A.); (S.A.); (J.O.I.)
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK; (G.U.E.); (I.A.A.); (M.J.N.)
- Department of Chemistry, University of Agriculture, Makurdi PMB 2373, Nigeria
| | | | - Harry P. De Koning
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK; (G.U.E.); (I.A.A.); (M.J.N.)
- Correspondence: (H.P.D.K.); (D.G.W.)
| | - David G. Watson
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK; (A.A.); (S.A.); (J.O.I.)
- Correspondence: (H.P.D.K.); (D.G.W.)
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16
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Ribani A, Utzeri VJ, Taurisano V, Galuppi R, Fontanesi L. Analysis of honey environmental DNA indicates that the honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) trypanosome parasite Lotmaria passim is widespread in the apiaries of the North of Italy. J Invertebr Pathol 2021; 184:107628. [PMID: 34090931 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2021.107628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Revised: 05/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Lotmaria passim is a trypanosomatid that infects honey bees. In this study, we established an axenic culture of L. passim from Italian isolates and then used its DNA as a control in subsequent analyses that investigated environmental DNA (eDNA) to detect this trypasonosomatid. The source of eDNA was honey, which has been already demonstrated to be useful to detect honey bee parasites. DNA from a total of 164 honey samples collected in the North of Italy was amplified with three L. passim specific PCR primers and 78% of the analysed samples gave positive results. These results indicated a high prevalence rate of this trypanosomatid in the North of Italy, where it might be considered another threat to honey bee health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anisa Ribani
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Giuseppe Fanin 46, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Valerio Joe Utzeri
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Giuseppe Fanin 46, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Valeria Taurisano
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Giuseppe Fanin 46, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Roberta Galuppi
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Luca Fontanesi
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Giuseppe Fanin 46, 40127 Bologna, Italy.
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17
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Gabín-García LB, Bartolomé C, Guerra-Tort C, Rojas-Nossa SV, Llovo J, Maside X. Identification of pathogens in the invasive hornet Vespa velutina and in native Hymenoptera (Apidae, Vespidae) from SW-Europe. Sci Rep 2021; 11:11233. [PMID: 34045562 PMCID: PMC8160249 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-90615-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive species contribute to deteriorate the health of ecosystems due to their direct effects on native fauna and the local parasite-host dynamics. We studied the potential impact of the invasive hornet Vespa velutina on the European parasite-host system by comparing the patterns of diversity and abundance of pathogens (i.e. Microsporidia: Nosematidae; Euglenozoa: Trypanosomatidae and Apicomplexa: Lipotrophidae) in European V. velutina specimens with those in the native European hornet Vespa crabro, as well as other common Hymenoptera (genera Vespula, Polistes and Bombus). We show that (i) V. velutina harbours most common hymenopteran enteropathogens as well as several new parasitic taxa. (ii) Parasite diversity in V. velutina is most similar to that of V. crabro. (iii) No unambiguous evidence of pathogen release by V. velutina was detected. This evidence together with the extraordinary population densities that V. velutina reaches in Europe (around of 100,000 individuals per km2 per year), mean that this invasive species could severely alter the native pathogen-host dynamics either by actively contributing to the dispersal of the parasites and/or by directly interacting with them, which could have unexpected long-term harmful consequences on the native entomofauna.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis B Gabín-García
- CiMUS P2D2, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Av. de Barcelona s/n, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Galiza, Spain.,Instituto de Investigacións Sanitarias de Santiago (IDIS), 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Galiza, Spain
| | - Carolina Bartolomé
- CiMUS P2D2, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Av. de Barcelona s/n, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Galiza, Spain.,Instituto de Investigacións Sanitarias de Santiago (IDIS), 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Galiza, Spain
| | - Carla Guerra-Tort
- CiMUS P2D2, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Av. de Barcelona s/n, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Galiza, Spain
| | - Sandra V Rojas-Nossa
- Department of Ecology and Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Vigo, 36310, Vigo, Galiza, Spain
| | - José Llovo
- Instituto de Investigacións Sanitarias de Santiago (IDIS), 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Galiza, Spain
| | - Xulio Maside
- CiMUS P2D2, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Av. de Barcelona s/n, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Galiza, Spain. .,Instituto de Investigacións Sanitarias de Santiago (IDIS), 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Galiza, Spain.
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18
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Jovanovic NM, Glavinic U, Delic B, Vejnovic B, Aleksic N, Mladjan V, Stanimirovic Z. Plant-based supplement containing B-complex vitamins can improve bee health and increase colony performance. Prev Vet Med 2021; 190:105322. [PMID: 33744676 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2021.105322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
It is common knowledge that nutritive stress resulting from decreased diversity and quality of food, pollution of food sources and beekeeping errors may lead to increased susceptibility of bees to pathogens and pesticides. The dearth of adequate food is frequently compensated with supplements. Thus, this research was aimed to study the effects of the plant-based supplement B + on colony strength (assessed according to open and sealed brood area, honey and pollen/bee bread reserves, and the number of adult bees). In addition, Nosema ceranae spores and viruses were quantified and the level of infestation with Varroa destructor assessed. The experiment was conducted in late summer and early spring. In colonies which were given B + in feed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the parameters of colony strength were noticed in comparison to the control (colonies fed on sugar syrup). Moreover, it was proven that the bees from these colonies had significantly lower (p < 0.05) N. ceranae spore counts, and acute bee paralysis, deformed wing and sacbrood virus loads. Our results suggest that the addition of B + supplement to the colonies provide them with nutrients, contribute to their strengthening, might prevent nutritive stress and increase the success of bees in combating pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nemanja M Jovanovic
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bul. oslobodjenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Uros Glavinic
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bul. oslobodjenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Biljana Delic
- Higher Agricultural School of Vocational Studies in Šabac, Vojvode Putnika 56, 15000 Šabac, Serbia.
| | - Branislav Vejnovic
- Department of Economics and Statistics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bul. oslobodjenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Nevenka Aleksic
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bul. oslobodjenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Vladimir Mladjan
- Higher Agricultural School of Vocational Studies in Šabac, Vojvode Putnika 56, 15000 Šabac, Serbia.
| | - Zoran Stanimirovic
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bul. oslobodjenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
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19
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Buendía-Abad M, Higes M, Martín-Hernández R, Barrios L, Meana A, Fernández Fernández A, Osuna A, De Pablos LM. Workflow of Lotmaria passim isolation: Experimental infection with a low-passage strain causes higher honeybee mortality rates than the PRA-403 reference strain. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE 2020; 14:68-74. [PMID: 33532238 PMCID: PMC7829110 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2020.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The impact of trypanosomatid parasites on honeybee health may represent a major threat to bee colonies worldwide. However, few axenic isolates have been generated to date and with no details on cell culture passages, a parameter that could influence parasite virulence. To address this question, a trypanosomatid isolation protocol was developed and a new strain was obtained, named L. passim C1. Using experimental infection of worker honeybees, we compared the virulence and mortality rates of the ATCC PRA-403 reference strain and C1 strain, the latter showing higher virulence from 10 days post-infection onward. This study highlights the impact of cell culture passages on the pathogenicity of L. passim in honeybees, providing new evidence of its negative effects on honeybee health.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Buendía-Abad
- IRIAF - Regional Institute for Agrifood and Forestry Research and Development, Laboratory of Bee Pathology, Center for Beekeeping and Agro-environmental Research (CIAPA), Community of Castilla-La Mancha, Marchamalo, Spain
| | - Mariano Higes
- IRIAF - Regional Institute for Agrifood and Forestry Research and Development, Laboratory of Bee Pathology, Center for Beekeeping and Agro-environmental Research (CIAPA), Community of Castilla-La Mancha, Marchamalo, Spain
| | - Raquel Martín-Hernández
- IRIAF - Regional Institute for Agrifood and Forestry Research and Development, Laboratory of Bee Pathology, Center for Beekeeping and Agro-environmental Research (CIAPA), Community of Castilla-La Mancha, Marchamalo, Spain.,Institute of Human Resources for Science and Technology (INCRECYT-FEDER), Science and Technology Park Foundation from Castilla - La Mancha, Albacete, Spain
| | - Laura Barrios
- Statistics Department, Computing Center SGAI-CSIC, 28006, Madrid, Spain
| | - Aranzazu Meana
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alberto Fernández Fernández
- Department of Parasitology, Biochemical and Molecular Parasitology Group CTS-183, University of Granada, 18071, Granada, Spain
| | - Antonio Osuna
- Department of Parasitology, Biochemical and Molecular Parasitology Group CTS-183, University of Granada, 18071, Granada, Spain.,Institute of Biotechnology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Luis Miguel De Pablos
- Department of Parasitology, Biochemical and Molecular Parasitology Group CTS-183, University of Granada, 18071, Granada, Spain.,Institute of Biotechnology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
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20
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Bartolomé C, Jabal-Uriel C, Buendía-Abad M, Benito M, Ornosa C, De la Rúa P, Martín-Hernández R, Higes M, Maside X. Wide diversity of parasites in Bombus terrestris (Linnaeus, 1758) revealed by a high-throughput sequencing approach. Environ Microbiol 2020; 23:478-483. [PMID: 33225560 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Assessing the extent of parasite diversity requires the application of appropriate molecular tools, especially given the growing evidence of multiple parasite co-occurrence. Here, we compared the performance of a next-generation sequencing technology (Ion PGM ™ System) in 12 Bombus terrestris specimens that were PCR-identified as positive for trypanosomatids (Leishmaniinae) in a previous study. These bumblebees were also screened for the occurrence of Nosematidae and Neogregarinorida parasites using both classical protocols (either specific PCR amplification or amplification with broad-range primers plus Sanger sequencing) and Ion PGM sequencing. The latter revealed higher parasite diversity within individuals, especially among Leishmaniinae (which were present as a combination of Lotmaria passim, Crithidia mellificae and Crithidia bombi), and the occurrence of taxa never reported in these hosts: Crithidia acanthocephali and a novel neogregarinorida species. Furthermore, the complementary results produced by the different sets of primers highlighted the convenience of using multiple markers to minimize the chance of some target organisms going unnoticed. Altogether, the deep sequencing methodology offered a more comprehensive way to investigate parasite diversity than the usual identification methods and provided new insights whose importance for bumblebee health should be further analysed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Bartolomé
- Grupo de Medicina Xenómica, CIMUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, 15782, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, 15706, Spain
| | - Clara Jabal-Uriel
- Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal (IRIAF), Laboratorio de Patología Apícola, Centro de Investigación Apícola y Agroambiental (CIAPA), Consejería de Agricultura de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, Marchamalo, 19180, Spain
| | - María Buendía-Abad
- Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal (IRIAF), Laboratorio de Patología Apícola, Centro de Investigación Apícola y Agroambiental (CIAPA), Consejería de Agricultura de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, Marchamalo, 19180, Spain
| | - María Benito
- Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal (IRIAF), Laboratorio de Patología Apícola, Centro de Investigación Apícola y Agroambiental (CIAPA), Consejería de Agricultura de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, Marchamalo, 19180, Spain
| | - Concepción Ornosa
- Departamento de Biodiversidad, Ecología y Evolución, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, 28040, Spain
| | - Pilar De la Rúa
- Departamento de Zoología y Antropología Física, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, 30100, Spain
| | - Raquel Martín-Hernández
- Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal (IRIAF), Laboratorio de Patología Apícola, Centro de Investigación Apícola y Agroambiental (CIAPA), Consejería de Agricultura de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, Marchamalo, 19180, Spain.,Instituto de Recursos Humanos para la Ciencia y la Tecnología, Fundación Parque Científico Tecnológico de Albacete, Albacete, 02006, Spain
| | - Mariano Higes
- Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal (IRIAF), Laboratorio de Patología Apícola, Centro de Investigación Apícola y Agroambiental (CIAPA), Consejería de Agricultura de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, Marchamalo, 19180, Spain
| | - Xulio Maside
- Grupo de Medicina Xenómica, CIMUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, 15782, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, 15706, Spain
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21
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Quintana S, Plischuk S, Brasesco C, Revainera P, Genchi García ML, Bravi ME, Reynaldi F, Eguaras M, Maggi M. Lotmaria passim (Kinetoplastea: Trypanosomatidae) in honey bees from Argentina. Parasitol Int 2020; 81:102244. [PMID: 33217549 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2020.102244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 11/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Lotmaria passim (Kinetoplastea) is considered the most prevalent as well as the most virulent trypanosomatid associated to the European honey bee Apis mellifera. We used qPCR to screen for the presence of this parasite in 57 samples from ten Argentinian provinces, and were able to detect its presence throughout most of the country with 41% of the samples testing positive. In a retrospective analysis, we detected L. passim in 73% of honey bee samples from 2006 showing that this flagellate has been widely present in Argentina for at least ~15 years. Additionally, three primer sets for L. passim detection were compared, with the pair that produced smallest PCR product having the best detection capability. Finally, we also found L. passim DNA in 100% (n = 6) of samples of the mite Varroa destructor. The role of this ectoparasite in the lifecycle of Lotmaria, if any, remains unrevealed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvina Quintana
- Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales, Laboratorio de Artrópodos, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Mar del Plata, Argentina; Laboratorio de Biología Molecular, Instituto de Análisis Fares Taie, Mar del Plata, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Argentina
| | - Santiago Plischuk
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Argentina; Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores (CEPAVE) (CONICET-UNLP), La Plata, Argentina.
| | - Constanza Brasesco
- Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales, Laboratorio de Artrópodos, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Mar del Plata, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Argentina
| | - Pablo Revainera
- Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales, Laboratorio de Artrópodos, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Mar del Plata, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Argentina
| | - María Laura Genchi García
- Laboratorio de Virología (LAVIR), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina; Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (CIC-PBA), Argentina
| | - María Emilia Bravi
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Argentina; Laboratorio de Virología (LAVIR), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Francisco Reynaldi
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Argentina; Laboratorio de Virología (LAVIR), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Martín Eguaras
- Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales, Laboratorio de Artrópodos, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Mar del Plata, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Argentina
| | - Matías Maggi
- Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales, Laboratorio de Artrópodos, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Mar del Plata, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Argentina
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22
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Ebiloma GU, Ichoron N, Siheri W, Watson DG, Igoli JO, De Koning HP. The Strong Anti-Kinetoplastid Properties of Bee Propolis: Composition and Identification of the Active Agents and Their Biochemical Targets. Molecules 2020; 25:E5155. [PMID: 33167520 PMCID: PMC7663965 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25215155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 11/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The kinetoplastids are protozoa characterized by the presence of a distinctive organelle, called the kinetoplast, which contains a large amount of DNA (kinetoplast DNA (kDNA)) inside their single mitochondrion. Kinetoplastids of medical and veterinary importance include Trypanosoma spp. (the causative agents of human and animal African Trypanosomiasis and of Chagas disease) and Leishmania spp. (the causative agents of the various forms of leishmaniasis). These neglected diseases affect millions of people across the globe, but drug treatment is hampered by the challenges of toxicity and drug resistance, among others. Propolis (a natural product made by bees) and compounds isolated from it are now being investigated as novel treatments of kinetoplastid infections. The anti-kinetoplastid efficacy of propolis is probably a consequence of its reported activity against kinetoplastid parasites of bees. This article presents a review of the reported anti-kinetoplastid potential of propolis, highlighting its anti-kinetoplastid activity in vitro and in vivo regardless of geographical origin. The mode of action of propolis depends on the organism it is acting on and includes growth inhibition, immunomodulation, macrophage activation, perturbation of the cell membrane architecture, phospholipid disturbances, and mitochondrial targets. This gives ample scope for further investigations toward the rational development of sustainable anti-kinetoplastid drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Godwin U. Ebiloma
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Teesside University, Middlesbrough TS1 3BX, UK;
| | - Nahandoo Ichoron
- Phytochemistry Research Group, Department of Chemistry, University of Agriculture, Makurdi 2373, Nigeria; (N.I.) (J.O.I.)
| | - Weam Siheri
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XQ, UK; (W.S.), (D.G.W.)
| | - David G. Watson
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XQ, UK; (W.S.), (D.G.W.)
| | - John O. Igoli
- Phytochemistry Research Group, Department of Chemistry, University of Agriculture, Makurdi 2373, Nigeria; (N.I.) (J.O.I.)
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XQ, UK; (W.S.), (D.G.W.)
| | - Harry P. De Koning
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
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23
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Botías C, Jones JC, Pamminger T, Bartomeus I, Hughes WOH, Goulson D. Multiple stressors interact to impair the performance of bumblebee Bombus terrestris colonies. J Anim Ecol 2020; 90:415-431. [PMID: 33084067 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Bumblebees are constantly exposed to a wide range of biotic and abiotic stresses which they must defend themselves against to survive. Pathogens and pesticides represent important stressors that influence bumblebee health, both when acting alone or in combination. To better understand bumblebee health, we need to investigate how these factors interact, yet experimental studies to date generally focus on only one or two stressors. The aim of this study is to evaluate how combined effects of four important stressors (the gut parasite Nosema ceranae, the neonicotinoid insecticide thiamethoxam, the pyrethroid insecticide cypermethrin and the EBI fungicide tebuconazole) interact to affect bumblebees at the individual and colony levels. We established seven treatment groups of colonies that we pulse exposed to different combinations of these stressors for 2 weeks under laboratory conditions. Colonies were subsequently placed in the field for 7 weeks to evaluate the effect of treatments on the prevalence of N. ceranae in inoculated bumblebees, expression levels of immunity and detoxification-related genes, food collection, weight gain, worker and male numbers, and production of worker brood and reproductives. Exposure to pesticide mixtures reduced food collection by bumblebees. All immunity-related genes were upregulated in the bumblebees inoculated with N. ceranae when they had not been exposed to pesticide mixtures, and bumblebees exposed to the fungicide and the pyrethroid were less likely to have N. ceranae. Combined exposure to the three-pesticide mixture and N. ceranae reduced bumblebee colony growth, and all treatments had detrimental effects on brood production. The groups exposed to the neonicotinoid insecticide produced 40%-76% fewer queens than control colonies. Our findings show that exposure to combinations of stressors that bumblebees frequently come into contact with have detrimental effects on colony health and performance and could therefore have an impact at the population level. These results also have significant implications for current practices and policies for pesticide risk assessment and use as the combinations tested here are frequently applied simultaneously in the field. Understanding the interactions between different stressors will be crucial for improving our ability to manage bee populations and for ensuring pollination services into the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Botías
- Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal de Castilla La Mancha (IRIAF), CIAPA de Marchamalo, Guadalajara, Spain.,School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | - Julia C Jones
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK.,School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Tobias Pamminger
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK.,BASF SE, APD/EE-Li 425, Limburgerhof, Germany
| | - Ignasi Bartomeus
- Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC), Dpto. Ecología Integrativa, Sevilla, Spain
| | | | - Dave Goulson
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
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24
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Alenezi SS, Natto MJ, Igoli JO, Gray AI, Fearnley J, Fearnley H, de Koning HP, Watson DG. Novel flavanones with anti-trypanosomal activity isolated from Zambian and Tanzanian propolis samples. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE 2020; 14:201-207. [PMID: 33160277 PMCID: PMC7649109 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2020.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
A bioassay-guided phytochemical investigation of propolis samples from Tanzania and Zambia that screened for activity against Trypanosoma brucei has led to the isolation of two novel flavanones with promising antitrypanosomal activity. The compounds were characterized based on their spectral and physical data and identified as 6-(1,1-dimethylallyl) pinocembrin and 5-hydroxy-4″,4″-dimethyl-5″-methyl-5″-H-dihydrofuranol [2″,3″,6,7] flavanone. The two compounds, together with the propolis extracts and fractions, were assayed against a standard drug-sensitive strain of T. b. brucei (s427 wild-type), multi-drug resistant-resistant T. b. brucei (B48), drug-sensitive T. congolense (1L300) and a derived diminazene-resistant T. congolense strain (6C3), and for toxicity against U947 human cells and RAW 246.7 murine cells. Activity against T. b. brucei was higher than against T. congolense. Interestingly, the Tanzanian propolis extract was found to be more active than its fractions and purified compounds in these assays, with an IC50 of 1.20 μg/mL against T. b. brucei. The results of a cytotoxicity assay showed that the propolis extracts were less toxic than the purified compounds with mean IC50 values > 165.0 μg/mL. Two samples of propolis from East Africa display good activity against Trypanosoma brucei and T. congolense. Activity against both wild type and pentamidine and diminazene resistant forms. Two novel flavonoids and one known flavonoid were isolated from Tanzanian and Zambian propolis samples and characterized. Pure isolated compounds not much more active than crude extracts. Repeated observation of anti-protozoal activity shows the importance of propolis indefending the hive against infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samya S Alenezi
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, G40RE, Glasgow, UK
| | - Manal J Natto
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences University of Glasgow, Sir Graeme Davies Building 120 University Place, G12 8TA, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
| | - John O Igoli
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, G40RE, Glasgow, UK; Phytochemistry Research Group, Department of Chemistry, University of Agriculture, PMB 2373, Makurdi, Nigeria
| | - Alexander I Gray
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, G40RE, Glasgow, UK
| | | | | | - Harry P de Koning
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences University of Glasgow, Sir Graeme Davies Building 120 University Place, G12 8TA, Glasgow, Scotland, UK.
| | - David G Watson
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, G40RE, Glasgow, UK.
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25
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Graystock P, Ng WH, Parks K, Tripodi AD, Muñiz PA, Fersch AA, Myers CR, McFrederick QS, McArt SH. Dominant bee species and floral abundance drive parasite temporal dynamics in plant-pollinator communities. Nat Ecol Evol 2020; 4:1358-1367. [PMID: 32690902 PMCID: PMC7529964 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-020-1247-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2019] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Pollinator reductions can leave communities less diverse and potentially at increased risk of infectious diseases. Species-rich plant and bee communities have high species turnover, making the study of disease dynamics challenging. To address how temporal dynamics shape parasite prevalence in plant and bee communities, we screened >5,000 bees and flowers over an entire growing season for five common bee microparasites (Nosema ceranae, Nosema bombi, Crithidia bombi, Crithidia expoeki and neogregarines). Over 110 bee species and 89 flower species were screened, revealing that 42% of bee species (12.2% individual bees) and 70% of flower species (8.7% individual flowers) had at least one parasite in or on them, respectively. Some common flowers (for example, Lychnis flos-cuculi) harboured multiple parasite species whilst others (for example, Lythrum salicaria) had few. Significant temporal variation of parasite prevalence in bees was linked to bee diversity, bee and flower abundance and community composition. Specifically, we found that bee communities had the highest prevalence late in the season, when social bees (Bombus spp. and Apis mellifera) were dominant and bee diversity was lowest. Conversely, prevalence on flowers was lowest late in the season when floral abundance was highest. Thus turnover in the bee community impacted community-wide prevalence, and turnover in the plant community impacted when parasite transmission was likely to occur at flowers. These results imply that efforts to improve bee health will benefit from the promotion of high floral numbers to reduce transmission risk, maintaining bee diversity to dilute parasites and monitoring the abundance of dominant competent hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Graystock
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park, Ascot, UK.
- Department of Entomology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA.
| | - Wee Hao Ng
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Kyle Parks
- Department of Entomology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | | | - Paige A Muñiz
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Ashley A Fersch
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Christopher R Myers
- Center for Advanced Computing, and Laboratory of Atomic and Solid State Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Quinn S McFrederick
- Department of Entomology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Scott H McArt
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
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26
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Longitudinal monitoring of honey bee colonies reveals dynamic nature of virus abundance and indicates a negative impact of Lake Sinai virus 2 on colony health. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0237544. [PMID: 32898160 PMCID: PMC7478651 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0237544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Honey bees (Apis mellifera) are important pollinators of plants, including those that produce nut, fruit, and vegetable crops. Therefore, high annual losses of managed honey bee colonies in the United States and many other countries threaten global agriculture. Honey bee colony deaths have been associated with multiple abiotic and biotic factors, including pathogens, but the impact of virus infections on honey bee colony population size and survival are not well understood. To further investigate seasonal patterns of pathogen presence and abundance and the impact of viruses on honey bee colony health, commercially managed colonies involved in the 2016 California almond pollination event were monitored for one year. At each sample date, colony health and pathogen burden were assessed. Data from this 50-colony cohort study illustrate the dynamic nature of honey bee colony health and the temporal patterns of virus infection. Black queen cell virus, deformed wing virus, sacbrood virus, and the Lake Sinai viruses were the most readily detected viruses in honey bee samples obtained throughout the year. Analyses of virus prevalence and abundance revealed pathogen-specific trends including the overall increase in deformed wing virus abundance from summer to fall, while the levels of Lake Sinai virus 2 (LSV2) decreased over the same time period. Though virus prevalence and abundance varied in individual colonies, analyses of the overall trends reveal correlation with sample date. Total virus abundance increased from November 2015 (post-honey harvest) to the end of the almond pollination event in March 2016, which coincides with spring increase in colony population size. Peak total virus abundance occurred in late fall (August and October 2016), which correlated with the time period when the majority of colonies died. Honey bee colonies with larger populations harbored less LSV2 than weaker colonies with smaller populations, suggesting an inverse relationship between colony health and LSV2 abundance. Together, data from this and other longitudinal studies at the colony level are forming a better understanding of the impact of viruses on honey bee colony losses.
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27
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Gómez-Moracho T, Buendía-Abad M, Benito M, García-Palencia P, Barrios L, Bartolomé C, Maside X, Meana A, Jiménez-Antón MD, Olías-Molero AI, Alunda JM, Martín-Hernández R, Higes M. Experimental evidence of harmful effects of Crithidia mellificae and Lotmaria passim on honey bees. Int J Parasitol 2020; 50:1117-1124. [PMID: 32822679 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2020.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The trypanosomatids Crithidia mellificae and Lotmaria passim are very prevalent in honey bee colonies and potentially contribute to colony losses that currently represent a serious threat to honey bees. However, potential pathogenicity of these trypanosomatids remains unclear and since studies of infection are scarce, there is little information about the virulence of their different morphotypes. Hence, we first cultured C. mellificae and L. passim (ATCC reference strains) in six different culture media to analyse their growth rates and to obtain potentially infective morphotypes. Both C. mellificae and L. passim grew in five of the media tested, with the exception of M199. These trypanosomatids multiplied fastest in BHI medium, in which they reached a stationary phase after around 96 h of growth. Honey bees inoculated with either Crithidia or Lotmaria died faster than control bees and their mortality was highest when they were inoculated with 96 h cultured L. passim. Histological and Electron Microscopy analyses revealed flagellated morphotypes of Crithidia and Lotmaria in the lumen of the ileum, and adherent non-flagellated L. passim morphotypes covering the epithelium, although no lesions were evident. These data indicate that parasitic forms of these trypanosomatids obtained from the early stationary growth phase infect honey bees. Therefore, efficient infection can be achieved to study their intra-host development and to assess the potential pathogenicity of these trypanosomatids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Gómez-Moracho
- Research Centre on Animal Cognition (CRCA), Centre for Integrative Biology (CBI), University Paul Sabatier, CNRS, UPS, France
| | - María Buendía-Abad
- IRIAF. Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal, Laboratorio de Patología Apícola, Centro de Investigación Apícola y Agroambiental (CIAPA), Consejería de Agricultura de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, Marchamalo, Spain
| | - María Benito
- IRIAF. Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal, Laboratorio de Patología Apícola, Centro de Investigación Apícola y Agroambiental (CIAPA), Consejería de Agricultura de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, Marchamalo, Spain
| | - Pilar García-Palencia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Barrios
- Consejo Superior Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), SGAI, Departamento de Estadística, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Carolina Bartolomé
- Grupo de Medicina Xenómica, CIMUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain; Grupo de Xenómica Comparada de Parásitos. Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
| | - Xulio Maside
- Grupo de Medicina Xenómica, CIMUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain; Grupo de Xenómica Comparada de Parásitos. Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
| | - Aránzazu Meana
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - María Dolores Jiménez-Antón
- Department of Animal Health, Group ICPVet, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Isabel Olías-Molero
- Department of Animal Health, Group ICPVet, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - José María Alunda
- Department of Animal Health, Group ICPVet, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Raquel Martín-Hernández
- IRIAF. Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal, Laboratorio de Patología Apícola, Centro de Investigación Apícola y Agroambiental (CIAPA), Consejería de Agricultura de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, Marchamalo, Spain; Instituto de Recursos Humanos para la Ciencia y la Tecnología (INCRECYT-FEDER), Fundación Parque Científico y Tecnológico de Castilla - La Mancha, Spain
| | - Mariano Higes
- IRIAF. Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal, Laboratorio de Patología Apícola, Centro de Investigación Apícola y Agroambiental (CIAPA), Consejería de Agricultura de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, Marchamalo, Spain.
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Ribani A, Utzeri VJ, Taurisano V, Fontanesi L. Honey as a Source of Environmental DNA for the Detection and Monitoring of Honey Bee Pathogens and Parasites. Vet Sci 2020; 7:vetsci7030113. [PMID: 32824137 PMCID: PMC7558659 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci7030113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Environmental DNA (eDNA) has been proposed as a powerful tool to detect and monitor cryptic, elusive, or invasive organisms. We recently demonstrated that honey constitutes an easily accessible source of eDNA. In this study, we extracted DNA from 102 honey samples (74 from Italy and 28 from 17 other countries of all continents) and tested the presence of DNA of nine honey bee pathogens and parasites (Paenibacillus larvae, Melissococcus plutonius, Nosema apis, Nosema ceranae, Ascosphaera apis,Lotmaria passim, Acarapis woodi, Varroa destructor, and Tropilaelaps spp.) using qualitative PCR assays. All honey samples contained DNA from V. destructor, confirming the widespread diffusion of this mite. None of the samples gave positive amplifications for N. apis, A. woodi, and Tropilaelaps spp. M. plutonius was detected in 87% of the samples, whereas the other pathogens were detected in 43% to 57% of all samples. The frequency of Italian samples positive for P. larvae was significantly lower (49%) than in all other countries (79%). The co-occurrence of positive samples for L. passim and A. apis with N. ceranae was significant. This study demonstrated that honey eDNA can be useful to establish monitoring tools to evaluate the sanitary status of honey bee populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anisa Ribani
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Giuseppe Fanin 46, 40127 Bologna, Italy; (A.R.); (V.J.U.); (V.T.)
- GRIFFA s.r.l., Viale Giuseppe Fanin 48, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Valerio Joe Utzeri
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Giuseppe Fanin 46, 40127 Bologna, Italy; (A.R.); (V.J.U.); (V.T.)
- GRIFFA s.r.l., Viale Giuseppe Fanin 48, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Valeria Taurisano
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Giuseppe Fanin 46, 40127 Bologna, Italy; (A.R.); (V.J.U.); (V.T.)
| | - Luca Fontanesi
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Giuseppe Fanin 46, 40127 Bologna, Italy; (A.R.); (V.J.U.); (V.T.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-051-2096535
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29
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Bartolomé C, Buendía-Abad M, Benito M, Sobrino B, Amigo J, Carracedo A, Martín-Hernández R, Higes M, Maside X. Longitudinal analysis on parasite diversity in honeybee colonies: new taxa, high frequency of mixed infections and seasonal patterns of variation. Sci Rep 2020; 10:10454. [PMID: 32591554 PMCID: PMC7319982 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-67183-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
To evaluate the influence that parasites have on the losses of Apis mellifera it is essential to monitor their presence in the colonies over time. Here we analysed the occurrence of nosematids, trypanosomatids and neogregarines in five homogeneous colonies for up to 21 months until they collapsed. The study, which combined the use of several molecular markers with the application of a massive parallel sequencing technology, provided valuable insights into the epidemiology of these parasites: (I) it enabled the detection of parasite species rarely reported in honeybees (Nosema thomsoni, Crithidia bombi, Crithidia acanthocephali) and the identification of two novel taxa; (II) it revealed the existence of a high rate of co-infections (80% of the samples harboured more than one parasite species); (III) it uncovered an identical pattern of seasonal variation for nosematids and trypanosomatids, that was different from that of neogregarines; (IV) it showed that there were no significant differences in the fraction of positive samples, nor in the levels of species diversity, between interior and exterior bees; and (V) it unveiled that the variation in the number of parasite species was not directly linked with the failure of the colonies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Bartolomé
- Grupo de Medicina Xenómica, CIMUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain. .,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain.
| | - María Buendía-Abad
- Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal (IRIAF), Laboratorio de Patología Apícola, Centro de Investigación Apícola y Agroambiental (CIAPA), Consejería de Agricultura de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, 19180, Marchamalo, Spain
| | - María Benito
- Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal (IRIAF), Laboratorio de Patología Apícola, Centro de Investigación Apícola y Agroambiental (CIAPA), Consejería de Agricultura de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, 19180, Marchamalo, Spain
| | - Beatriz Sobrino
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain.,Fundación Pública Galega de Medicina Xenómica, Servicio Galego de Saúde (SERGAS), 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Jorge Amigo
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain.,Fundación Pública Galega de Medicina Xenómica, Servicio Galego de Saúde (SERGAS), 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Angel Carracedo
- Grupo de Medicina Xenómica, CIMUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain.,Fundación Pública Galega de Medicina Xenómica, Servicio Galego de Saúde (SERGAS), 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.,Departamento de CC. Forenses, Anatomía Patolóxica, Xinecoloxía e Obstetricia, e Pediatría, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
| | - Raquel Martín-Hernández
- Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal (IRIAF), Laboratorio de Patología Apícola, Centro de Investigación Apícola y Agroambiental (CIAPA), Consejería de Agricultura de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, 19180, Marchamalo, Spain.,Instituto de Recursos Humanos para la Ciencia y la Tecnología, Fundación Parque Científico Tecnológico de Albacete, 02006, Albacete, Spain
| | - Mariano Higes
- Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal (IRIAF), Laboratorio de Patología Apícola, Centro de Investigación Apícola y Agroambiental (CIAPA), Consejería de Agricultura de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, 19180, Marchamalo, Spain
| | - Xulio Maside
- Grupo de Medicina Xenómica, CIMUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain.,Departamento de CC. Forenses, Anatomía Patolóxica, Xinecoloxía e Obstetricia, e Pediatría, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
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30
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Abstract
Recent declines of wild pollinators and infections in honey, bumble and other bee species have raised concerns about pathogen spillover from managed honey and bumble bees to other pollinators. Parasites of honey and bumble bees include trypanosomatids and microsporidia that often exhibit low host specificity, suggesting potential for spillover to co-occurring bees via shared floral resources. However, experimental tests of trypanosomatid and microsporidial cross-infectivity outside of managed honey and bumble bees are scarce. To characterize potential cross-infectivity of honey and bumble bee-associated parasites, we inoculated three trypanosomatids and one microsporidian into five potential hosts – including four managed species – from the apid, halictid and megachilid bee families. We found evidence of cross-infection by the trypanosomatids Crithidia bombi and C. mellificae, with evidence for replication in 3/5 and 3/4 host species, respectively. These include the first reports of experimental C. bombi infection in Megachile rotundata and Osmia lignaria, and C. mellificae infection in O. lignaria and Halictus ligatus. Although inability to control amounts inoculated in O. lignaria and H. ligatus hindered estimates of parasite replication, our findings suggest a broad host range in these trypanosomatids, and underscore the need to quantify disease-mediated threats of managed social bees to sympatric pollinators.
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31
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Taric E, Glavinic U, Vejnovic B, Stanojkovic A, Aleksic N, Dimitrijevic V, Stanimirovic Z. Oxidative Stress, Endoparasite Prevalence and Social Immunity in Bee Colonies Kept Traditionally vs. Those Kept for Commercial Purposes. INSECTS 2020; 11:E266. [PMID: 32349295 PMCID: PMC7290330 DOI: 10.3390/insects11050266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Commercially and traditionally managed bees were compared for oxidative stress (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione S-transferase (GST) and malondialdehyde (MDA)), the prevalence of parasites (Lotmaria passim, Crithidia mellificae and Nosema ceranae/apis) and social immunity (glucose oxidase gene expression). The research was conducted on Pester plateau (Serbia-the Balkan Peninsula), on seemingly healthy colonies. Significant differences in CAT, GST and SOD activities (p < 0.01), and MDA concentrations (p < 0.002) were detected between commercial and traditional colonies. In the former, the prevalence of both L. passim and N. ceranae was significantly (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively) higher. For the first time, L. passim was detected in honey bee brood. In commercial colonies, the prevalence of L. passim was significantly (p < 0.01) lower in brood than in adult bees, whilst in traditionally kept colonies the prevalence in adult bees and brood did not differ significantly. In commercially kept colonies, the GOX gene expression level was significantly (p < 0.01) higher, which probably results from their increased need to strengthen their social immunity. Commercially kept colonies were under higher oxidative stress, had higher parasite burdens and higher GOX gene transcript levels. It may be assumed that anthropogenic influence contributed to these differences, but further investigations are necessary to confirm that.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elmin Taric
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bulevar oslobodjenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (E.T.); (Z.S.)
| | - Uros Glavinic
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bulevar oslobodjenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (E.T.); (Z.S.)
| | - Branislav Vejnovic
- Department of Economics and Statistics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bulevar oslobodjenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Aleksandar Stanojkovic
- Department of Animal Source Foods Science and Technology, Institute for Animal Husbandry, Autoput 16, 11080 Belgrade–Zemun, Serbia;
| | - Nevenka Aleksic
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bulevar oslobodjenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Vladimir Dimitrijevic
- Department of Animal Husbandry and Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bulevar oslobodjenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Zoran Stanimirovic
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bulevar oslobodjenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (E.T.); (Z.S.)
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32
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Schoonvaere K, Brunain M, Baeke F, De Bruyne M, De Rycke R, de Graaf DC. Comparison between Apicystis cryptica sp. n. and Apicystis bombi (Arthrogregarida, Apicomplexa): Gregarine parasites that cause fat body hypertrophism in bees. Eur J Protistol 2020; 73:125688. [PMID: 32143143 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejop.2020.125688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2019] [Revised: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The molecular divergence, morphology and pathology of a cryptic gregarine that is related to the bee parasite Apicystis bombi Lipa and Triggiani, 1996 is described. The 18S ribosomal DNA gene sequence of the new gregarine was equally dissimilar to that of A. bombi and the closest related genus Mattesia Naville, 1930, although phylogenetic analysis supported a closer relation to A. bombi. Pronounced divergence with A. bombi was found in the ITS1 sequence (69.6% similarity) and seven protein-coding genes (nucleotide 78.05% and protein 90.2% similarity). The new gregarine was isolated from a Bombus pascuorum Scopoli, 1763 female and caused heavy hypertrophism of the fat body tissue in its host. In addition, infected cells of the hypopharyngeal gland tissue, an important excretory organ of the host, were observed. Mature oocysts were navicular in shape and contained four sporozoites, similar to A. bombi oocysts. Given these characteristics, we proposed the name Apicystis cryptica sp. n. Detections so far indicated that distribution and host species occupation of Apicystis spp. overlap at least in Europe, and that historical detections could not discriminate between them. Specific molecular assays were developed that can be implemented in future pathogen screens that aim to discriminate Apicystis spp. in bees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karel Schoonvaere
- Laboratory of Molecular Entomology and Bee Pathology, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 Block S2, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Marleen Brunain
- Laboratory of Molecular Entomology and Bee Pathology, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 Block S2, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Femke Baeke
- Department for Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium; Ghent University Expertise Centre for Transmission Electron Microscopy and VIB BioImaging Core, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Michiel De Bruyne
- Department for Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium; Ghent University Expertise Centre for Transmission Electron Microscopy and VIB BioImaging Core, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Riet De Rycke
- Department for Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium; Ghent University Expertise Centre for Transmission Electron Microscopy and VIB BioImaging Core, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Dirk C de Graaf
- Laboratory of Molecular Entomology and Bee Pathology, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 Block S2, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
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33
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Liu Q, Lei J, Darby AC, Kadowaki T. Trypanosomatid parasite dynamically changes the transcriptome during infection and modifies honey bee physiology. Commun Biol 2020; 3:51. [PMID: 32005933 PMCID: PMC6994608 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-0775-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
It is still not understood how honey bee parasite changes the gene expression to adapt to the host environment and how the host simultaneously responds to the parasite infection by modifying its own gene expression. To address this question, we studied a trypanosomatid, Lotmaria passim, which can be cultured in medium and inhabit the honey bee hindgut. We found that L. passim decreases mRNAs associated with protein translation, glycolysis, detoxification of radical oxygen species, and kinetoplast respiratory chain to adapt to the anaerobic and nutritionally poor honey bee hindgut during the infection. After the long term infection, the host appears to be in poor nutritional status, indicated by the increase and decrease of take-out and vitellogenin mRNAs, respectively. Simultaneous gene expression profiling of L. passim and honey bee during infection by dual RNA-seq provided insight into how both parasite and host modify their gene expressions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiushi Liu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, 111 Ren'ai Road, Suzhou Dushu Lake Higher Education Town, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215123, China
| | - Jing Lei
- Department of Biological Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, 111 Ren'ai Road, Suzhou Dushu Lake Higher Education Town, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215123, China
| | - Alistair C Darby
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7ZB, UK
| | - Tatsuhiko Kadowaki
- Department of Biological Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, 111 Ren'ai Road, Suzhou Dushu Lake Higher Education Town, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215123, China.
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34
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Frolov AO, Malysheva MN, Ganyukova AI, Spodareva VV, Králová J, Yurchenko V, Kostygov AY. If host is refractory, insistent parasite goes berserk: Trypanosomatid Blastocrithidia raabei in the dock bug Coreus marginatus. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0227832. [PMID: 31945116 PMCID: PMC6964863 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0227832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Here we characterized the development of the trypanosomatid Blastocrithidia raabei in the dock bug Coreus marginatus using light and electron microscopy. This parasite has been previously reported to occur in the host hemolymph, which is rather typical for dixenous trypanosomatids transmitted to a plant or vertebrate with insect's saliva. In addition, C. marginatus has an unusual organization of the intestine, which makes it refractory to microbial infections: two impassable segments isolate the anterior midgut portion responsible for digestion and absorption from the posterior one containing symbiotic bacteria. Our results refuted the possibility of hemolymph infection, but revealed that the refractory nature of the host provokes very aggressive behavior of the parasite and makes its life cycle more complex, reminiscent of that in some dixenous trypanosomatids. In the pre-barrier midgut portion, the epimastigotes of B. raabei attach to the epithelium and multiply similarly to regular insect trypanosomatids. However, when facing the impassable constricted region, the parasites rampage and either fiercely break through the isolating segments or attack the intestinal epithelium in front of the barrier. The cells of the latter group pass to the basal lamina and accumulate there, causing degradation of the epitheliocytes and thus helping the epimastigotes of the former group to advance posteriorly. In the symbiont-containing post-barrier midgut segment, the parasites either attach to bacterial cells and produce cyst-like amastigotes (CLAs) or infect enterocytes. In the rectum, all epimastigotes attach either to the cuticular lining or to each other and form CLAs. We argue that in addition to the specialized life cycle B. raabei possesses functional cell enhancements important either for the successful passage through the intestinal barriers (enlarged rostrum and well-developed Golgi complex) or as food reserves (vacuoles in the posterior end).
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander O. Frolov
- Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Marina N. Malysheva
- Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Anna I. Ganyukova
- Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Viktoria V. Spodareva
- Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia
- Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Králová
- Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Vyacheslav Yurchenko
- Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Martsinovsky Institute of Medical Parasitology, Tropical and Vector Borne Diseases, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexei Y. Kostygov
- Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia
- Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- * E-mail:
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35
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Abstract
In this study, we sequenced and analyzed the genomes of 40 strains, in addition to the already-reported two type strains, of two Crithidia species infecting bumblebees in Alaska and Central Europe and demonstrated that different strains of Crithidia bombi and C. expoeki vary considerably in terms of single nucleotide polymorphisms and gene copy number. Based on the genomic structure, phylogenetic analyses, and the pattern of copy number variation, we confirmed the status of C. expoeki as a separate species. The Alaskan populations appear to be clearly separated from those of Central Europe. This pattern fits a scenario of rapid host-parasite coevolution, where the selective advantage of a given parasite strain is only temporary. This study provides helpful insights into possible scenarios of selection and diversification of trypanosomatid parasites.IMPORTANCE A group of trypanosomatid flagellates includes several well-studied medically and economically important parasites of vertebrates and plants. Nevertheless, the vast majority of trypanosomatids infect only insects (mostly flies and true bugs) and, because of that, has attracted little research attention in the past. Of several hundred trypanosomatid species, only four can infect bees (honeybees and bumblebees). Because of such scarcity, these parasites are severely understudied. We analyzed whole-genome information for a total of 42 representatives of bee-infecting trypanosomatids collected in Central Europe and Alaska from a population genetics point of view. Our data shed light on the evolution, selection, and diversification in this important group of trypanosomatid parasites.
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36
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Alotaibi A, Ebiloma GU, Williams R, Alenezi S, Donachie AM, Guillaume S, Igoli JO, Fearnley J, de Koning HP, Watson DG. European propolis is highly active against trypanosomatids including Crithidia fasciculata. Sci Rep 2019; 9:11364. [PMID: 31388043 PMCID: PMC6684629 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-47840-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracts of 35 samples of European propolis were tested against wild type and resistant strains of the protozoal pathogens Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma congolense and Leishmania mexicana. The extracts were also tested against Crithidia fasciculata a close relative of Crithidia mellificae, a parasite of bees. Crithidia, Trypanosoma and Leishmania are all members of the order Kinetoplastida. High levels of activity were obtained for all the samples with the levels of activity varying across the sample set. The highest levels of activity were found against L. mexicana. The propolis samples were profiled by using liquid chromatography with high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and principal components analysis (PCA) of the data obtained indicated there was a wide variation in the composition of the propolis samples. Orthogonal partial least squares (OPLS) associated a butyrate ester of pinobanksin with high activity against T. brucei whereas in the case of T. congolense high activity was associated with methyl ethers of chrysin and pinobanksin. In the case of C. fasciculata highest activity was associated with methyl ethers of galangin and pinobanksin. OPLS modelling of the activities against L. mexicana using the mass spectrometry produced a less successful model suggesting a wider range of active components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah Alotaibi
- University of Strathclyde, Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow, G4 0RE, UK
| | - Godwin U Ebiloma
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8TA, UK
| | - Roderick Williams
- IBEHR, School of Health and Life Science, University of the West of Scotland, High Street, Paisley, PA1 2BE, UK
| | - Samya Alenezi
- University of Strathclyde, Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow, G4 0RE, UK
| | - Anne-Marie Donachie
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8TA, UK
| | - Selome Guillaume
- IBEHR, School of Health and Life Science, University of the West of Scotland, High Street, Paisley, PA1 2BE, UK
| | - John O Igoli
- University of Strathclyde, Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow, G4 0RE, UK
- Department of Chemistry, University of Agriculture, PMB 2373, Makurdi, Nigeria
| | | | - Harry P de Koning
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8TA, UK
| | - David G Watson
- University of Strathclyde, Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow, G4 0RE, UK.
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37
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Strobl V, Yañez O, Straub L, Albrecht M, Neumann P. Trypanosomatid parasites infecting managed honeybees and wild solitary bees. Int J Parasitol 2019; 49:605-613. [PMID: 31163178 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2019.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Revised: 03/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The parasite Crithidia mellificae (Kinetoplastea: Trypanosomatidae) infects honeybees, Apis mellifera. No pathogenic effects have been found in individual hosts, despite positive correlations between infections and colony mortalities. The solitary bee Osmia cornuta might constitute a host, but controlled infections are lacking to date. Here, we challenged male and female O. cornuta and honeybee workers in laboratory cages with C. mellificae. No parasite cells were found in any control. Parasite numbers increased 6.6 fold in honeybees between days 6 and 19 p.i. and significantly reduced survival. In O. cornuta, C. mellificae numbers increased 2-3.6 fold within cages and significantly reduced survival of males, but not females. The proportion of infected hosts increased in O. cornuta cages with faeces, but not in honeybee cages without faeces, suggesting faecal - oral transmission. The data show that O. cornuta is a host of C. mellificae and suggest that males are more susceptible. The higher mortality of infected honeybees proposes a mechanism for correlations between C. mellificae infections and colony mortalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verena Strobl
- Institute of Bee Health, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; Agroecology and Environment, Agroscope, Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Orlando Yañez
- Institute of Bee Health, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Lars Straub
- Institute of Bee Health, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Peter Neumann
- Institute of Bee Health, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; Swiss Bee Research Centre, Agroscope, Bern, Switzerland
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Liu Q, Lei J, Kadowaki T. Gene Disruption of Honey Bee Trypanosomatid Parasite, Lotmaria passim, by CRISPR/Cas9 System. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:126. [PMID: 31080782 PMCID: PMC6497781 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Two trypanosomatid species, Lotmaria passim and Crithidia mellificae, have been shown to parasitize honey bees to date. L. passim appears to be more prevalent than C. mellificae and specifically infects the honey bee hindgut. Although the genomic DNA has been sequenced, the effects of infection on honey bee health and colony are poorly understood. To identify the genes that are important for infecting honey bees and to understand their functions, we applied the CRISPR/Cas9 system to establish a method to manipulate L. passim genes. By electroporation of plasmid DNA and subsequent selection by drug, we first established an L. passim clone expressing tdTomato or Cas9. We also successfully disrupted the endogenous miltefosine transporter and tyrosine aminotransferase genes by replacement with drug (hygromycin) resistant gene using the CRISPR/Cas9-induced homology-directed repair pathway. The L. passim clone expressing fluorescent marker, as well as the simple method for editing specific genes, could become useful approaches to understand the underlying mechanisms of honey bee-trypanosomatid parasite interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tatsuhiko Kadowaki
- Department of Biological Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China
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Abstract
Abstract
Colony losses, including those induced by the colony collapse disorder, are an urgent problem of contemporary apiculture which has been capturing the attention of both apiculturists and the research community. CCD is characterized by the absence of adult dead bees in the hive in which few workers and a queen remain, the ratio between the brood quantity and the number of workers is heavily disturbed in favor of the former, and more than enough food is present. Robbing behavior and pests usually attacking the weakened colony do not occur. In the present paper, the causes of the emergence of this problem are discussed, as well as the measures of its prevention.
The following factors, which lead to colony losses, are analyzed: shortage of high-quality food (pollen and honey); infestation with parasites, primarily with Varroa destructor, and mixed virus infections; bacterial infections (American and European foulbrood), fungal infections (nosemosis and ascosphaerosis) and trypanosomal infections (lotmariosis); and, finally, general management of the apiary.
Certain preventive measures are proposed: (1) providing ample high-quality forage and clean water, (2) avoiding sugarisation, i.e. superfluous use of sugar syrup, (3) meeting the nutritional needs of the colony, (4) when feeding bees, taking care of the timing and the composition of diet, avoiding pure sugar syrup which in excessive quantities may induce energetic and oxidative stress, (5) when there is a shortage of natural feed – honey in the brood chamber – use sugar syrup with natural/artificial supplements to avoid protein starvation, (6) organized control of V. destructor in the colonies is obligatory due to its vector role, and (7) compliance with hygienic and sanitary measures and principles of good apiculture practice and management in apiaries. To conclude, all preventive measures are feasible in compliance with rules and regulations concerning regular spring and autumn bee health monitoring by licensed veterinarians, who can propose adequate treatments if necessary.
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Detection of Lotmaria passim in Africanized and European honey bees from Uruguay, Argentina and Chile. J Invertebr Pathol 2018; 160:95-97. [PMID: 30448510 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2018.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Revised: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosomatids affecting honey bees, Crithidia mellificae and Lotmaria passim, have been poorly studied in South America. We therefore analyzed their presence in Africanized and European honeybees from Uruguay, Argentina and Chile collected between 1990 and 2011 and assessed their association with other bee parasites and pathogens. Crithidia mellificae was not detected while L. passim was wide-spread. This report shows that L. passim has been present in this region at least since 2007 and it infects both Africanized and European honey bees. L. passim infected colonies showed high V. destructor parasitization levels, suggesting an association between them.
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A new multiplex PCR protocol to detect mixed trypanosomatid infections in species of Apis and Bombus. J Invertebr Pathol 2018; 154:37-41. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2018.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2018] [Revised: 03/23/2018] [Accepted: 03/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Schmid-Hempel P, Aebi M, Barribeau S, Kitajima T, du Plessis L, Schmid-Hempel R, Zoller S. The genomes of Crithidia bombi and C. expoeki, common parasites of bumblebees. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0189738. [PMID: 29304093 PMCID: PMC5755769 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0189738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2017] [Accepted: 11/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosomatids (Trypanosomatidae, Kinetoplastida) are flagellated protozoa containing many parasites of medical or agricultural importance. Among those, Crithidia bombi and C. expoeki, are common parasites in bumble bees around the world, and phylogenetically close to Leishmania and Leptomonas. They have a simple and direct life cycle with one host, and partially castrate the founding queens greatly reducing their fitness. Here, we report the nuclear genome sequences of one clone of each species, extracted from a field-collected infection. Using a combination of Roche 454 FLX Titanium, Pacific Biosciences PacBio RS, and Illumina GA2 instruments for C. bombi, and PacBio for C. expoeki, we could produce high-quality and well resolved sequences. We find that these genomes are around 32 and 34 MB, with 7,808 and 7,851 annotated genes for C. bombi and C. expoeki, respectively-which is somewhat less than reported from other trypanosomatids, with few introns, and organized in polycistronic units. A large fraction of genes received plausible functional support in comparison primarily with Leishmania and Trypanosoma. Comparing the annotated genes of the two species with those of six other trypanosomatids (C. fasciculata, L. pyrrhocoris, L. seymouri, B. ayalai, L. major, and T. brucei) shows similar gene repertoires and many orthologs. Similar to other trypanosomatids, we also find signs of concerted evolution in genes putatively involved in the interaction with the host, a high degree of synteny between C. bombi and C. expoeki, and considerable overlap with several other species in the set. A total of 86 orthologous gene groups show signatures of positive selection in the branch leading to the two Crithidia under study, mostly of unknown function. As an example, we examined the initiating glycosylation pathway of surface components in C. bombi, finding it deviates from most other eukaryotes and also from other kinetoplastids, which may indicate rapid evolution in the extracellular matrix that is involved in interactions with the host. Bumble bees are important pollinators and Crithidia-infections are suspected to cause substantial selection pressure on their host populations. These newly sequenced genomes provide tools that should help better understand host-parasite interactions in these pollinator pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Markus Aebi
- Institute of Microbiology, ETH Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Seth Barribeau
- Institute of Integrative Biology (IBZ), ETH Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Louis du Plessis
- Institute of Integrative Biology (IBZ), ETH Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Stefan Zoller
- Genetic Diversity Centre (GDC), ETH Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
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Vejnovic B, Stevanovic J, Schwarz RS, Aleksic N, Mirilovic M, Jovanovic NM, Stanimirovic Z. Quantitative PCR assessment of Lotmaria passim in Apis mellifera colonies co-infected naturally with Nosema ceranae. J Invertebr Pathol 2018; 151:76-81. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2017.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Revised: 09/27/2017] [Accepted: 11/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Triplex real-time PCR for detection of Crithidia mellificae and Lotmaria passim in honey bees. Parasitol Res 2017; 117:623-628. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-017-5733-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2017] [Accepted: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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Tritschler M, Retschnig G, Yañez O, Williams GR, Neumann P. Host sharing by the honey bee parasites Lotmaria passim and Nosema ceranae. Ecol Evol 2017; 7:1850-1857. [PMID: 28331592 PMCID: PMC5355176 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.2796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2016] [Revised: 12/09/2016] [Accepted: 12/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The trypanosome Lotmaria passim and the microsporidian Nosema ceranae are common parasites of the honey bee, Apis mellifera, intestine, but the nature of interactions between them is unknown. Here, we took advantage of naturally occurring infections and quantified infection loads of individual workers (N = 408) originating from three apiaries (four colonies per apiary) using PCR to test for interactions between these two parasites. For that purpose, we measured the frequency of single and double infections, estimated the parasite loads of single and double infections, and determined the type of correlation between both parasites in double infections. If interactions between both parasites are strong and antagonistic, single infections should be more frequent than double infections, double infections will have lower parasite loads than single infections, and double infections will present a negative correlation. Overall, a total of 88 workers were infected with N. ceranae, 53 with L. passim, and eight with both parasites. Although both parasites were found in all three apiaries, there were significant differences among apiaries in the proportions of infected bees. The data show no significant differences between the expected and observed frequencies of single‐ and double‐infected bees. While the infection loads of individual bees were significantly higher for L. passim compared to N. ceranae, there were no significant differences in infection loads between single‐ and double‐infected hosts for both parasites. These results suggest no strong interactions between the two parasites in honey bees, possibly due to spatial separation in the host. The significant positive correlation between L. passim and N. ceranae infection loads in double‐infected hosts therefore most likely results from differences among individual hosts rather than cooperation between parasites. Even if hosts are infected by multiple parasites, this does not necessarily imply that there are any significant interactions between them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Tritschler
- Institute of Bee Health Vetsuisse Faculty University of Bern Bern Switzerland
| | - Gina Retschnig
- Institute of Bee Health Vetsuisse Faculty University of Bern Bern Switzerland
| | - Orlando Yañez
- Institute of Bee Health Vetsuisse Faculty University of Bern Bern Switzerland
| | - Geoffrey R Williams
- Institute of Bee Health Vetsuisse Faculty University of Bern Bern Switzerland; Agroscope Swiss Bee Research Centre Bern Switzerland; Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology Auburn University Auburn AL USA
| | - Peter Neumann
- Institute of Bee Health Vetsuisse Faculty University of Bern Bern Switzerland; Agroscope Swiss Bee Research Centre Bern Switzerland
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Stevanovic J, Schwarz RS, Vejnovic B, Evans JD, Irwin RE, Glavinic U, Stanimirovic Z. Species-specific diagnostics of Apis mellifera trypanosomatids: A nine-year survey (2007-2015) for trypanosomatids and microsporidians in Serbian honey bees. J Invertebr Pathol 2016; 139:6-11. [PMID: 27392956 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2016.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2016] [Revised: 07/02/2016] [Accepted: 07/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
In this study, honey bees collected in Serbia over 9 consecutive years (2007-2015) were retrospectively surveyed to determine the prevalence of eukaryotic gut parasites by molecular screening of archival DNA samples. We developed species-specific primers for PCR to detect the two known honey bee trypanosomatid species, Crithidia mellificae and the recently described Lotmaria passim. These primers were validated for target specificity under single and mixed-species conditions as well as against the bumblebee trypanosomatid Crithidia bombi. Infections by Nosema apis and Nosema ceranae (Microsporidia) were also determined using PCR. Samples from 162 colonies (18 from each year) originating from 57 different localities were surveyed. L. passim was detected in every year with an overall frequency of 62.3% and annual frequencies ranging from 38.9% to 83.3%. This provides the earliest confirmed record to date for L. passim and the first report of this species in Serbia. N. ceranae was ubiquitous, occurring in every year and at 95.7% overall frequency, ranging annually from 83.3% to 100%. The majority of colonies (60.5%) were co-infected with L. passim and N. ceranae, but colony infections by each species were statistically independent of one another over the nine years. Although C. mellificae and N. apis have both been reported recently at low frequency in Europe, neither of these species was detected in Serbia. These results support the hypothesis that L. passim has predominated over C. mellificae in A. mellifera during the past decade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jevrosima Stevanovic
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bul. Oslobodjenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Ryan S Schwarz
- Department of Entomology, 4112 Plant Sciences Building, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA.
| | - Branislav Vejnovic
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bul. Oslobodjenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Jay D Evans
- Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center - East, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Bldg. 306, 10300 Baltimore Ave., Beltsville, MD 20705, USA.
| | - Rebecca E Irwin
- Department of Applied Ecology, 253 David Clark Labs, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA.
| | - Uros Glavinic
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bul. Oslobodjenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Zoran Stanimirovic
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bul. Oslobodjenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
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PCR-specific detection of recently described Lotmaria passim (Trypanosomatidae) in Chilean apiaries. J Invertebr Pathol 2015; 134:1-5. [PMID: 26721451 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2015.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2015] [Revised: 12/01/2015] [Accepted: 12/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The recently described trypanosome Lotmaria passim is currently considered the most predominant trypanosomatid in honey bees worldwide and could be a factor in honey bee declines. For a specific and quick detection of this pathogen, we developed primers based on the SSU rRNA and gGAPDH genes for the detection of L. passim in Chilean honey beehives. PCR products amplified and sequenced for these primers shared 99-100% identity with other sequences of L. passim. The designed primers were specific and we were able to detect a high prevalence (40-90%) of L. passim in bee hives distributed throughout Chile. Our described PCR-based method offers a feasible and specific detection of L. passim in any honey bee samples.
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