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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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Bartolomé C, Higes M, Hernández RM, Chen YP, Evans JD, Huang Q. The recent revision of the genera Nosema and Vairimorpha (Microsporidia: Nosematidae) was flawed and misleads the bee scientific community. J Invertebr Pathol 2024; 206:108146. [PMID: 38852837 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2024.108146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
The genus Vairimorpha was proposed for several species of Nosema in 1976 (Pilley, 1976), almost 70 years after Nosema apis Zander (Zander, 1909). Tokarev and colleagues proposed the redefinition of 17 microsporidian species in four genera, Nosema, Vairimorpha, Rugispora, and Oligosporidium, based on phylogenetic trees of two genetic markers (SSU rRNA and RPB1) (Tokarev et al., 2020). Several issues should invalidate this new classification, leading to the synonymization of Vairimorpha within Nosema.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Bartolomé
- Grupo de Medicina Xenómica, CIMUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
| | - Mariano Higes
- Laboratorio de Patología Apícola, Centro de Investigación Apícola y Agroambiental (CIAPA), Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal (IRIAF), Consejería de Agricultura de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, Marchamalo, Spain
| | - Raquel Martín Hernández
- Laboratorio de Patología Apícola, Centro de Investigación Apícola y Agroambiental (CIAPA), Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal (IRIAF), Consejería de Agricultura de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, Marchamalo, Spain
| | - Yan Ping Chen
- USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Bee Research Laboratory, 10300 Baltimore Avenue, 20705 Beltsville, MD, USA
| | - Jay D Evans
- USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Bee Research Laboratory, 10300 Baltimore Avenue, 20705 Beltsville, MD, USA
| | - Qiang Huang
- Honeybee Research Institute, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Zhimin Ave 1101, 330045 Nanchang, China.
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Zufriategui C, Porrini MP, Eguaras MJ, Garrido PM. Detrimental effects of amitraz exposure in honey bees (Apis mellifera) infected with Nosema ceranae. Parasitol Res 2024; 123:204. [PMID: 38709330 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08225-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
In recent years, there has been growing concern on the potential weakening of honey bees and their increased susceptibility to pathogens due to chronic exposure to xenobiotics. The present work aimed to study the effects on bees undergoing an infection by Nosema ceranae and being exposed to a frequently used in-hive acaricide, amitraz. To achieve this, newly emerged bees were individually infected with N. ceranae spores and/or received a sublethal concentration of amitraz in their diets under laboratory conditions. Mortality, food intake, total volume excrement, body appearance, and parasite development were registered. Bees exposed to both stressors jointly had higher mortality rates compared to bees exposed separately, with no difference in the parasite development. An increase in sugar syrup consumption was observed for all treated bees while infected bees fed with amitraz also showed a diminishment in pollen intake. These results coupled with an increase in the total number of excretion events, alterations in behavior and body surface on individuals that received amitraz could evidence the detrimental action of this molecule. To corroborate these findings under semi-field conditions, worker bees were artificially infected, marked, and released into colonies. Then, they were exposed to a commercial amitraz-based product by contact. The recovered bees showed no differences in the parasite development due to amitraz exposure. This study provides evidence to which extent a honey bee infected with N. ceranae could potentially be weakened by chronic exposure to amitraz treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Zufriategui
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción Sanidad y Ambiente (IIPROSAM)-CONICET-UNMdP; Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Centro Científico Tecnológico Mar del Plata-CONICET, Centro de Asociación Simple CIC PBA, Mar del Plata, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Abejas Sociales, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Martín Pablo Porrini
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción Sanidad y Ambiente (IIPROSAM)-CONICET-UNMdP; Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Centro Científico Tecnológico Mar del Plata-CONICET, Centro de Asociación Simple CIC PBA, Mar del Plata, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Abejas Sociales, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Martín Javier Eguaras
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción Sanidad y Ambiente (IIPROSAM)-CONICET-UNMdP; Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Centro Científico Tecnológico Mar del Plata-CONICET, Centro de Asociación Simple CIC PBA, Mar del Plata, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Abejas Sociales, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Paula Melisa Garrido
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción Sanidad y Ambiente (IIPROSAM)-CONICET-UNMdP; Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Centro Científico Tecnológico Mar del Plata-CONICET, Centro de Asociación Simple CIC PBA, Mar del Plata, Argentina.
- Centro de Investigaciones en Abejas Sociales, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Mar del Plata, Argentina.
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Glavinic U, Jovanovic NM, Dominikovic N, Lakic N, Ćosić M, Stevanovic J, Stanimirovic Z. Potential of Wormwood and Oak Bark-Based Supplement in Health Improvement of Nosema ceranae-Infected Honey Bees. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1195. [PMID: 38672343 PMCID: PMC11047348 DOI: 10.3390/ani14081195] [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: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Nosema ceranae, a microsporidian parasite, as one of the stressors that contribute to honey bee decline, has a significant negative impact on the longevity, productivity, and reproductive capacity of honey bee colonies. There are several different strategies for Nosema infection control, including natural-based and antibiotic-based products. In this study, we tested wormwood and oak bark-based supplement "Medenko forte" on survival, Nosema infection, oxidative stress, and expression of immune-related genes in artificially N. ceranae-infected bees. The results revealed a positive influence on the survival of Nosema-infected bees, irrespectively of the moment of supplement application (day 1, day 3, or day 6 after bee emergence), as well as reduction of Nosema loads and, consequently, Nosema-induced oxidative stress. Supplementation had no negative effects on bee immunity, but better anti-Nosema than immune-stimulating effects were affirmed based on expression levels of abaecin, defensin, hymenoptaecin, apidaecin, and vitellogenin genes. In conclusion, the tested supplement "Medenko forte" has great potential in the health protection of Nosema-infected bees. However, further investigations need to be performed to elucidate its mechanisms of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uros Glavinic
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bul. Oslobodjenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (U.G.); (N.D.); (J.S.); (Z.S.)
| | - Nemanja M. Jovanovic
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bul. Oslobodjenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Nina Dominikovic
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bul. Oslobodjenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (U.G.); (N.D.); (J.S.); (Z.S.)
| | - Nada Lakic
- Department of Statistics, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Belgrade, Nemanjina 6, 11080 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Milivoje Ćosić
- Institute of Forestry, Kneza Viseslava 3, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Jevrosima Stevanovic
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bul. Oslobodjenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (U.G.); (N.D.); (J.S.); (Z.S.)
| | - Zoran Stanimirovic
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bul. Oslobodjenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (U.G.); (N.D.); (J.S.); (Z.S.)
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Trzebny A, Nahimova O, Dabert M. High temperatures and low humidity promote the occurrence of microsporidians (Microsporidia) in mosquitoes (Culicidae). Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:187. [PMID: 38605410 PMCID: PMC11008030 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06254-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the context of climate change, a growing concern is that vector-pathogen or host-parasite interactions may be correlated with climatic factors, especially increasing temperatures. In the present study, we used a mosquito-microsporidian model to determine the impact of environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, wind and rainfall on the occurrence rates of opportunistic obligate microparasites (Microsporidia) in hosts from a family that includes important disease vectors (Culicidae). METHODS In our study, 3000 adult mosquitoes collected from the field over 3 years were analysed. Mosquitoes and microsporidia were identified using PCR and sequencing of the hypervariable V5 region of the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene and a shortened fragment of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene, respectively. RESULTS DNA metabarcoding was used to identify nine mosquito species, all of which were hosts of 12 microsporidian species. The prevalence of microsporidian DNA across all mosquito samples was 34.6%. Microsporidian prevalence in mosquitoes was more frequent during warm months (> 19 °C; humidity < 65%), as was the co-occurrence of two or three microsporidian species in a single host individual. During warm months, microsporidian occurrence was noted 1.6-fold more often than during the cold periods. Among the microsporidians found in the mosquitoes, five (representing the genera Enterocytospora, Vairimorpha and Microsporidium) were positively correlated with an increase in temperature, whereas one (Hazardia sp.) was significantly correlated with a decrease in temperature. Threefold more microsporidian co-occurrences were recorded in the warm months than in the cold months. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that the susceptibility of mosquitoes to parasite occurrence is primarily determined by environmental conditions, such as, for example, temperatures > 19 °C and humidity not exceeding 62%. Collectively, our data provide a better understanding of the effects of the environment on microsporidian-mosquito interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artur Trzebny
- Molecular Biology Techniques Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland.
| | - Olena Nahimova
- Molecular Biology Techniques Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland
- Genetics and Cytology Department, School of Biology, V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, Kharkiv, Ukraine
| | - Miroslawa Dabert
- Molecular Biology Techniques Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland
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Parrella P, Elikan AB, Snow JW. Pathogen- and host-directed pharmacologic strategies for control of Vairimorpha (Nosema) spp. infection in honey bees. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2024:e13026. [PMID: 38572630 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.13026] [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: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Microsporidia are obligate intracellular parasites of the Fungal Kingdom that cause widespread infections in nature, with important effects on invertebrates involved in food production systems. The two microsporidian species Vairimorpha (Nosema) ceranae (and the less common Vairimorpha (Nosema) apis) can cause individual disease in honey bees and contribute to colony collapse. The efficacy, safety, and availability of fumagillin, the only drug currently approved to treat microsporidia infection in bees, is uncertain. In this review, we will discuss some of the most promising alternative strategies for the mitigation of Vairimorpha spp. with an emphasis on infection by V. ceranae, now the dominant species infecting bees. We will focus on pharmacologic interventions where the mechanism of action is known and examine both pathogen-directed and host-directed approaches. As limiting toxicity to host cells has been especially emphasized in treating bees that are already facing numerous stressors, strategies that disrupt pathogen-specific targets may be especially advantageous. Therefore, efforts to increase the knowledge and tools for facilitating the discovery of such targets and pharmacologic agents directed against them should be prioritized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parker Parrella
- Department of Biology, Barnard College, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Jonathan W Snow
- Department of Biology, Barnard College, New York, New York, USA
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Webster VL, Hemmings S, Pérez M, Fisher MC, Brown MJF, Farrer RA. Revealing the genome of the microsporidian Vairimorpha bombi, a potential driver of bumble bee declines in North America. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2024; 14:jkae029. [PMID: 38334143 PMCID: PMC10989860 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkae029] [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: 01/07/2024] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Pollinators are vital for food security and the maintenance of terrestrial ecosystems. Bumblebees are important pollinators across northern temperate, arctic, and alpine ecosystems, yet are in decline across the globe. Vairimorpha bombi is a parasite belonging to the fungal class Microsporidia that has been implicated in the rapid decline of bumblebees in North America, where it may be an emerging infectious disease. To investigate the evolutionary basis of pathogenicity of V. bombi, we sequenced and assembled its genome using Oxford Nanopore and Illumina technologies and performed phylogenetic and genomic evolutionary analyses. The genome assembly for V. bombi is 4.73 Mb, from which we predicted 1,870 protein-coding genes and 179 tRNA genes. The genome assembly has low repetitive content and low GC content. V. bombi's genome assembly is the smallest of the Vairimorpha and closely related Nosema genera, but larger than those found in the Encephalitozoon and Ordospora sister clades. Orthology and phylogenetic analysis revealed 18 core conserved single-copy microsporidian genes including the histone acetyltransferase (HAT) GCN5. Surprisingly, V. bombi was unique to the microsporidia in not encoding the second predicted HAT ESA1. The V. bombi genome assembly annotation included 265 unique genes (i.e. not predicted in other microsporidia genome assemblies), 20% of which encode a secretion signal, which is a significant enrichment. Intriguingly, of the 36 microsporidian genomes we analyzed, 26 also had a significant enrichment of secreted signals encoded by unique genes, ranging from 6 to 71% of those predicted genes. These results suggest that microsporidia are under selection to generate and purge diverse and unique genes encoding secreted proteins, potentially contributing to or facilitating infection of their diverse hosts. Furthermore, V. bombi has 5/7 conserved spore wall proteins (SWPs) with its closest relative V. ceranae (that primarily infects honeybees), while also uniquely encoding four additional SWPs. This gene class is thought to be essential for infection, providing both environmental protection and recognition and uptake into the host cell. Together, our results show that SWPs and unique genes encoding a secretion signal are rapidly evolving in the microsporidia, suggesting that they underpin key pathobiological traits including host specificity and pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria L Webster
- Department of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, London TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Samuel Hemmings
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Imperial College London, London W2 1PG, UK
| | - Marta Pérez
- Department of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, London TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Matthew C Fisher
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Imperial College London, London W2 1PG, UK
| | - Mark J F Brown
- Department of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, London TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Rhys A Farrer
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
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Peirson M, Ibrahim A, Ovinge LP, Hoover SE, Guarna MM, Melathopoulos A, Pernal SF. The effects of protein supplementation, fumagillin treatment, and colony management on the productivity and long-term survival of honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0288953. [PMID: 38489327 PMCID: PMC10942092 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
In this study, we intensively measured the longitudinal productivity and survival of 362 commercially managed honey bee colonies in Canada, over a two-year period. A full factorial experimental design was used, whereby two treatments were repeated across apiaries situated in three distinct geographic regions: Northern Alberta, Southern Alberta and Prince Edward Island, each having unique bee management strategies. In the protein supplemented treatment, colonies were continuously provided a commercial protein supplement containing 25% w/w pollen, in addition to any feed normally provided by beekeepers in that region. In the fumagillin treatment, colonies were treated with the label dose of Fumagilin-B® each year during the fall. Neither treatment provided consistent benefits across all sites and dates. Fumagillin was associated with a large increase in honey production only at the Northern Alberta site, while protein supplementation produced an early season increase in brood production only at the Southern Alberta site. The protein supplement provided no long-lasting benefit at any site and was also associated with an increased risk of death and decreased colony size later in the study. Differences in colony survival and productivity among regions, and among colonies within beekeeping operations, were far larger than the effects of either treatment, suggesting that returns from extra feed supplements and fumagillin were highly contextually dependent. We conclude that use of fumagillin is safe and sometimes beneficial, but that beekeepers should only consider excess protein supplementation when natural forage is limiting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Peirson
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Beaverlodge Research Farm, Beaverlodge, Alberta, Canada
| | - Abdullah Ibrahim
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Beaverlodge Research Farm, Beaverlodge, Alberta, Canada
| | - Lynae P. Ovinge
- Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, Lethbridge Research Centre, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
| | - Shelley E. Hoover
- Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, Lethbridge Research Centre, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
| | - M. Marta Guarna
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Beaverlodge Research Farm, Beaverlodge, Alberta, Canada
| | - Andony Melathopoulos
- School for Resource and Environmental Studies, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Stephen F. Pernal
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Beaverlodge Research Farm, Beaverlodge, Alberta, Canada
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Motta EVS, Moran NA. The honeybee microbiota and its impact on health and disease. Nat Rev Microbiol 2024; 22:122-137. [PMID: 38049554 PMCID: PMC10998682 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-023-00990-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
Honeybees (Apis mellifera) are key pollinators that support global agriculture and are long-established models for developmental and behavioural research. Recently, they have emerged as models for studying gut microbial communities. Earlier research established that hindguts of adult worker bees harbour a conserved set of host-restricted bacterial species, each showing extensive strain variation. These bacteria can be cultured axenically and introduced to gnotobiotic hosts, and some have basic genetic tools available. In this Review, we explore the most recent research showing how the microbiota establishes itself in the gut and impacts bee biology and health. Microbiota members occupy specific niches within the gut where they interact with each other and the host. They engage in cross-feeding and antagonistic interactions, which likely contribute to the stability of the community and prevent pathogen invasion. An intact gut microbiota provides protection against diverse pathogens and parasites and contributes to the processing of refractory components of the pollen coat and dietary toxins. Absence or disruption of the microbiota results in altered expression of genes that underlie immunity, metabolism, behaviour and development. In the field, such disruption by agrochemicals may negatively impact bees. These findings demonstrate a key developmental and protective role of the microbiota, with broad implications for bee health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erick V S Motta
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Nancy A Moran
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA.
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10
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Babin A, Schurr F, Delannoy S, Fach P, Huyen Ton Nu Nguyet M, Bougeard S, de Miranda JR, Rundlöf M, Wintermantel D, Albrecht M, Attridge E, Bottero I, Cini E, Costa C, De la Rúa P, Di Prisco G, Dominik C, Dzul D, Hodge S, Klein AM, Knapp J, Knauer AC, Mänd M, Martínez-López V, Medrzycki P, Pereira-Peixoto MH, Potts SG, Raimets R, Schweiger O, Senapathi D, Serrano J, Stout JC, Tamburini G, Brown MJF, Laurent M, Rivière MP, Chauzat MP, Dubois E. Distribution of infectious and parasitic agents among three sentinel bee species across European agricultural landscapes. Sci Rep 2024; 14:3524. [PMID: 38347035 PMCID: PMC10861508 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53357-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Infectious and parasitic agents (IPAs) and their associated diseases are major environmental stressors that jeopardize bee health, both alone and in interaction with other stressors. Their impact on pollinator communities can be assessed by studying multiple sentinel bee species. Here, we analysed the field exposure of three sentinel managed bee species (Apis mellifera, Bombus terrestris and Osmia bicornis) to 11 IPAs (six RNA viruses, two bacteria, three microsporidia). The sentinel bees were deployed at 128 sites in eight European countries adjacent to either oilseed rape fields or apple orchards during crop bloom. Adult bees of each species were sampled before their placement and after crop bloom. The IPAs were detected and quantified using a harmonised, high-throughput and semi-automatized qPCR workflow. We describe differences among bee species in IPA profiles (richness, diversity, detection frequencies, loads and their change upon field exposure, and exposure risk), with no clear patterns related to the country or focal crop. Our results suggest that the most frequent IPAs in adult bees are more appropriate for assessing the bees' IPA exposure risk. We also report positive correlations of IPA loads supporting the potential IPA transmission among sentinels, suggesting careful consideration should be taken when introducing managed pollinators in ecologically sensitive environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurélie Babin
- ANSES, Sophia Antipolis Laboratory, Unit of Honey bee Pathology, 06902, Sophia Antipolis, France.
| | - Frank Schurr
- ANSES, Sophia Antipolis Laboratory, Unit of Honey bee Pathology, 06902, Sophia Antipolis, France
| | - Sabine Delannoy
- IdentyPath Genomics Platform, Food Safety Laboratory, ANSES, 94701, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Patrick Fach
- IdentyPath Genomics Platform, Food Safety Laboratory, ANSES, 94701, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | | | - Stéphanie Bougeard
- ANSES, Ploufragan-Plouzané-Niort Laboratory, Epidemiology and Welfare, France
| | - Joachim R de Miranda
- Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 75007, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Maj Rundlöf
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Dimitry Wintermantel
- Chair of Nature Conservation and Landscape Ecology, University of Freiburg, Tennenbacher Straße 4, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Albrecht
- Agroecology and Environment, Agroscope, Reckenholzstrasse 191, 8046, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Eleanor Attridge
- Federation of Irish Beekeepers' Associations, Tullamore, Ireland
| | - Irene Bottero
- Botany, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Elena Cini
- Centre for Agri-Environmental Research, School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, Reading, UK
| | - Cecilia Costa
- CREA Research Centre for Agriculture and Environment, Via di Corticella 133, 40128, Bologna, Italy
| | - Pilar De la Rúa
- Department of Zoology and Physical Anthropology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - Gennaro Di Prisco
- CREA Research Centre for Agriculture and Environment, Via di Corticella 133, 40128, Bologna, Italy
- Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, The Italian National Research Council, Piazzale E. Ferni 1, 80055, Portici, Napoli, Italy
| | - Christophe Dominik
- UFZ-Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Community Ecology, 06120, Halle, Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstraße 4, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Daniel Dzul
- Department of Zoology and Physical Anthropology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - Simon Hodge
- Botany, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Alexandra-Maria Klein
- Chair of Nature Conservation and Landscape Ecology, University of Freiburg, Tennenbacher Straße 4, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jessica Knapp
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Botany, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Anina C Knauer
- Agroecology and Environment, Agroscope, Reckenholzstrasse 191, 8046, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marika Mänd
- Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Vicente Martínez-López
- Department of Zoology and Physical Anthropology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Behaviour, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Bioscience Building, L69 7ZB, Liverpool, UK
| | - Piotr Medrzycki
- CREA Research Centre for Agriculture and Environment, Via di Corticella 133, 40128, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Helena Pereira-Peixoto
- Chair of Nature Conservation and Landscape Ecology, University of Freiburg, Tennenbacher Straße 4, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Simon G Potts
- Centre for Agri-Environmental Research, School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, Reading, UK
| | - Risto Raimets
- Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Oliver Schweiger
- UFZ-Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Community Ecology, 06120, Halle, Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstraße 4, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Deepa Senapathi
- Centre for Agri-Environmental Research, School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, Reading, UK
| | - José Serrano
- Department of Zoology and Physical Anthropology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - Jane C Stout
- Botany, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Giovanni Tamburini
- Chair of Nature Conservation and Landscape Ecology, University of Freiburg, Tennenbacher Straße 4, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
- University of Bari, Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences (DiSSPA-Entomology and Zoology), Bari, Italy
| | - Mark J F Brown
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution & Behaviour, Department of Biological Sciences, School of Life Sciences and the Environment, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, UK
| | - Marion Laurent
- ANSES, Sophia Antipolis Laboratory, Unit of Honey bee Pathology, 06902, Sophia Antipolis, France
| | - Marie-Pierre Rivière
- ANSES, Sophia Antipolis Laboratory, Unit of Honey bee Pathology, 06902, Sophia Antipolis, France
| | - Marie-Pierre Chauzat
- ANSES, Sophia Antipolis Laboratory, Unit of Honey bee Pathology, 06902, Sophia Antipolis, France
- Paris-Est University, ANSES, Laboratory for Animal Health, 94701, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Eric Dubois
- ANSES, Sophia Antipolis Laboratory, Unit of Honey bee Pathology, 06902, Sophia Antipolis, France.
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11
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Garrido PM, Porrini MP, Alberoni D, Baffoni L, Scott D, Mifsud D, Eguaras MJ, Di Gioia D. Beneficial Bacteria and Plant Extracts Promote Honey Bee Health and Reduce Nosema ceranae Infection. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins 2024; 16:259-274. [PMID: 36637793 PMCID: PMC10850026 DOI: 10.1007/s12602-022-10025-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The research aims to give new insights on the effect of administering selected bacterial strains, isolated from honey bee gut, and/or a commercial plant extract blend (HiveAlive®) on Nosema ceranae. Analyses were first performed under laboratory conditions such as different infective doses of N. ceranae, the effect of single strains and their mixture and the influence of pollen administration. Daily survival and feed consumption rate were recorded and pathogen development was analysed using qPCR and microscope counts. Biomarkers of immunity and physiological status were also evaluated for the different treatments tested using one bacterial strain, a mixture of all the bacteria and/or a plant extract blend as treatments. The results showed an increase of abaecin transcript levels in the midgut of the honey bees treated with the bacterial mixture and an increased expression of the protein vitellogenin in the haemolymph of honey bees treated with two separate bacterial strains (Bifidobacterium coryneforme and Apilactobacillus kunkeei). A significant effectiveness in reducing N. ceranae was shown by the bacterial mixture and the plant extract blend regardless of the composition of the diet. This bioactivity was seasonally linked. Quantitative PCR and microscope counts showed the reduction of N. ceranae under different experimental conditions. The antiparasitic efficacy of the treatments at field conditions was studied using a semi-field approach which was adapted from research on insecticides for the first time, to analyse antiparasitic activity against N. ceranae. The approach proved to be reliable and effective in validating data obtained in the laboratory. Both the mixture of beneficial bacteria and its association with Hive Alive® are effective in controlling the natural infection of N. ceranae in honey bee colonies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Melisa Garrido
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción Sanidad y Ambiente (IIPROSAM), CONICET, UNMdP, Centro Asoc. Simple CIC PBA, Funes 3350, Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, 7600, Argentina
- Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales (CIAS), FCEyN, UNMdP, Funes 3350, Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, 7600, Argentina
| | - Martín Pablo Porrini
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción Sanidad y Ambiente (IIPROSAM), CONICET, UNMdP, Centro Asoc. Simple CIC PBA, Funes 3350, Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, 7600, Argentina
- Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales (CIAS), FCEyN, UNMdP, Funes 3350, Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, 7600, Argentina
| | - Daniele Alberoni
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Fanin 44, Bologna, 40127, Italy.
| | - Loredana Baffoni
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Fanin 44, Bologna, 40127, Italy
| | - Dara Scott
- ADVANCE SCIENCE Ltd, Knocknacarra Rd, Galway, H91 XV84, Ireland
| | - David Mifsud
- Institute of Earth Systems, L-Università ta' Malta, University Ring Rd, Msida, MSD2080, Malta
| | - Matín Javier Eguaras
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción Sanidad y Ambiente (IIPROSAM), CONICET, UNMdP, Centro Asoc. Simple CIC PBA, Funes 3350, Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, 7600, Argentina
- Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales (CIAS), FCEyN, UNMdP, Funes 3350, Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, 7600, Argentina
| | - Diana Di Gioia
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Fanin 44, Bologna, 40127, Italy
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12
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Shanahan M, Simone-Finstrom M, Tokarz P, Rinkevich F, Read QD, Spivak M. Thinking inside the box: Restoring the propolis envelope facilitates honey bee social immunity. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0291744. [PMID: 38295039 PMCID: PMC10830010 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
When wild honey bee colonies (Apis mellifera) nest in hollow tree cavities, they coat the rough cavity walls with a continuous layer of propolis, a substance comprised primarily of plant resins. Studies have shown that the resulting "propolis envelope" leads to both individual- and colony-level health benefits. Unfortunately, the smooth wooden boxes most commonly used in beekeeping do little to stimulate propolis collection. As a result, most managed bees live in hives that are propolis-poor. In this study, we assessed different surface texture treatments (rough wood boxes, boxes outfitted with propolis traps, and standard, smooth wood boxes) in terms of their ability to stimulate propolis collection, and we examined the effect of propolis on colony health, pathogen loads, immune gene expression, bacterial gene expression, survivorship, and honey production in both stationary and migratory beekeeping contexts. We found that rough wood boxes are the most effective box type for stimulating propolis deposition. Although the use of rough wood boxes did not improve colony survivorship overall, Melissococcus plutonius detections via gene expression were significantly lower in rough wood boxes, and viral loads for multiple viruses tended to decrease as propolis deposition increased. By the end of year one, honey bee populations in migratory rough box colonies were also significantly larger than those in migratory control colonies. The use of rough wood boxes did correspond with decreased honey production in year one migratory colonies but had no effect during year two. Finally, in both stationary and migratory operations, propolis deposition was correlated with a seasonal decrease and/or stabilization in the expression of multiple immune and bacterial genes, suggesting that propolis-rich environments contribute to hive homeostasis. These findings provide support for the practical implementation of rough box hives as a means to enhance propolis collection and colony health in multiple beekeeping contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maggie Shanahan
- Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Michael Simone-Finstrom
- Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics and Physiology Research Laboratory, United States Department of Agriculture—Agricultural Research Service, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Philip Tokarz
- Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics and Physiology Research Laboratory, United States Department of Agriculture—Agricultural Research Service, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Frank Rinkevich
- Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics and Physiology Research Laboratory, United States Department of Agriculture—Agricultural Research Service, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Quentin D. Read
- United States Department of Agriculture—Agricultural Research Service Southeast Area, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Marla Spivak
- Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States of America
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13
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Abban S, Smith B, Corona M, Cook SC, Evans JD, Chen Y, Alburaki M. Prevalence and distribution of Varroa destructor and Nosema spp. in symptomatic honey bee colonies across the USA from 2015 to 2022. Sci Rep 2024; 14:1726. [PMID: 38242935 PMCID: PMC10798951 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-51514-9] [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: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024] Open
Abstract
USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory received symptomatic honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) samples across the United States for disease diagnosis. Here, we present a retrospective study and cartography of ectoparasite Varroa destructor and intracellular microsporidia parasite Nosema spp. These two major parasites were identified in the diseased honey bee samples between 2015 and 2022. Varroa infestation level (VIL) was examined by a wash technique (Mites/100 bees) and calculated as a percentage, while Nosema infection was quantified by microscopical spore count (Million Spores/Bee). Data were analyzed by month, year, state, and by nine geographical climate regions described in the U.S. Of adult bee samples (n = 4039) that were analyzed for Varroa mite infestation, the overall VIL in the U.S. ranged between 0.4 and 30.85%, with an overall national VIL and Varroa prevalence of 8.21% and 85.14%, respectively. Overall monthly data showed VIL constantly exceeded the critical level of 4% except from June to September and reached a maximum of 15% in January and December. Nationwide, VIL significantly (p < 0.001) increased from 2015 to 2018 (1.1-4.7%), plateaued from 2018 to 2021 (4.7-4.5%), followed by a significant decrease in 2022 (3.6%). Significant VIL differences (p < 0.001) were recorded among climate regions, with the highest mite infestation levels in the Upper Midwest region (13.9%) and the lowest in the West region (5.1%). Of adult bee samples (n = 2,994) that were analyzed for Nosema infection, Nosema spore count ranged between (1-16.8) million spores per bee among states, with a national average of 6.8 and a prevalence of 99.7%. The lowest and highest Nosema loads were respectively recorded in the South region (3.1) and Upper Midwest (10.5), a significant difference (p < 0.001). No statistical differences were recorded among the six other climate regions. Overall, VIL and Nosema infection correlated significantly (p < 0.001) with a regression coefficient of (R2 = 0.6). Our data, which originated from ailing bee colonies, showed significantly higher rates of maladies compared to data from healthy colonies obtained by the USDA-APHIS National Honey Bee Survey, demonstrating the role of bee diseases caused by Varroa mite and Nosema in honey bee population declines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Abban
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, 20705, USA
| | - Bart Smith
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, 20705, USA
| | - Miguel Corona
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, 20705, USA
| | - Steven C Cook
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, 20705, USA
| | - Jay D Evans
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, 20705, USA
| | - Yanping Chen
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, 20705, USA
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14
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Peirson M, Pernal SF. A Systematic Review of Fumagillin Field Trials for the Treatment of Nosema Disease in Honeybee Colonies. INSECTS 2024; 15:29. [PMID: 38249035 PMCID: PMC10816105 DOI: 10.3390/insects15010029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
This article systematically reviews controlled field trials of fumagillin dicyclohexylamine in honeybee colonies to determine whether fumagillin effectively controls nosema and whether it is beneficial to colonies. Fifty publications were found that described controlled field trials of fumagillin in honeybee colonies between 1952 and 2023. Fumagillin consistently reduced the prevalence and severity of nosema infections. Doses applied in recent studies were similar to or below those recommended historically. Furthermore, our study showed no negative effects on colony health. Improvements in colony survival, size, and honey production have been demonstrated frequently, though not consistently, in both historic and recent studies. Nevertheless, some practices are not optimal. Treatment decision thresholds based on the number of spores per bee are not well supported by evidence and may be no better than calendar-based prophylactic treatments. In addition, reasonable recommendations to employ quarantine and disinfection procedures together with fumagillin treatment do not appear to have been widely adopted. When used as stand-alone treatments, both the fall- and spring-label doses provide benefits but may be too low and short-term to ensure full control of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Peirson
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Beaverlodge Research Farm, P.O. Box 29, Beaverlodge, AB T0H 0C0, Canada
| | - Stephen F. Pernal
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Beaverlodge Research Farm, P.O. Box 29, Beaverlodge, AB T0H 0C0, Canada
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15
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Erban T, Parizkova K, Sopko B, Talacko P, Markovic M, Jarosova J, Votypka J. Imidacloprid increases the prevalence of the intestinal parasite Lotmaria passim in honey bee workers. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 905:166973. [PMID: 37699488 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
A challenge in bee protection is to assess the risks of pesticide-pathogen interactions. Lotmaria passim, a ubiquitous unicellular parasite in honey bees, is considered harmful under specific conditions. Imidacloprid causes unpredictable side effects. Research indicates that both L. passim and imidacloprid may affect the physiology, behavior, immunity, microbiome and lifespan of honey bees. We designed cage experiments to test whether the infection of L. passim is affected by a sublethal dose of imidacloprid. Workers collected at the time of emergence were exposed to L. passim and 2.5 μg/L imidacloprid in the coexposure treatment group. First, samples of bees were taken from cages since they were 5 days old and 3 days postinfection, i.e., after finishing an artificial 24 h L. passim infection. Additional bees were collected every two additional days. In addition, bees frozen at the time of emergence and collected from the unexposed group were analyzed. Abdomens were analyzed using qPCR to determine parasite load, while corresponding selected heads were subjected to a label-free proteomic analysis. Our results show that bees are free of L. passim at the time of emergence. Furthermore, imidacloprid considerably increased the prevalence as well as parasite loads in individual bees. This means that imidacloprid facilitates infection, enabling faster parasite spread in a colony and potentially to surrounding colonies. The proteomic analysis of bee heads showed that imidacloprid neutralized the increased transferrin 1 expression by L. passim. Importantly, this promising marker has been previously observed to be upregulated by infections, including gut parasites. This study contributes to understanding the side effects of imidacloprid and demonstrates that a single xenobiotic/pesticide compound can interact with the gut parasite. Our methodology can be used to assess the effects of different compounds on L. passim.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Erban
- Proteomics and Metabolomics Laboratory, Crop Research Institute, Drnovska 507/73, Prague 6-Ruzyne CZ-161 06, Czechia.
| | - Kamila Parizkova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Vinicna 1594/7, Prague 2 CZ-128 00, Czechia
| | - Bruno Sopko
- Proteomics and Metabolomics Laboratory, Crop Research Institute, Drnovska 507/73, Prague 6-Ruzyne CZ-161 06, Czechia
| | - Pavel Talacko
- Proteomics Core Facility, Faculty of Science, BIOCEV, Charles University, Prumyslova 595, Vestec CZ-252 50, Czechia
| | - Martin Markovic
- Proteomics and Metabolomics Laboratory, Crop Research Institute, Drnovska 507/73, Prague 6-Ruzyne CZ-161 06, Czechia
| | - Jana Jarosova
- Laboratory of Hormonal Regulations in Plants, Institute of Experimental Botany, Czech Academy of Sciences, Rozvojova 263, Prague 6-Lysolaje CZ-165 02, Czechia
| | - Jan Votypka
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Vinicna 1594/7, Prague 2 CZ-128 00, Czechia; Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 1160/31, Ceske Budejovice CZ-37005, Czechia
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16
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Jovanovic NM, Glavinic U, Ristanic M, Vejnovic B, Ilic T, Stevanovic J, Stanimirovic Z. Effects of Plant-Based Supplement on Oxidative Stress of Honey Bees ( Apis mellifera) Infected with Nosema ceranae. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3543. [PMID: 38003159 PMCID: PMC10668651 DOI: 10.3390/ani13223543] [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: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the most important approaches in the prevention and treatment of nosemosis is the use of herbal preparations as food supplements for bees. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a plant-based supplement branded as "B+" on honeybees in a laboratory experiment. Four experimental groups were established: treated group (T), N. ceranae-infected and treated group (IT), N. ceranae-infected group (I) and non-infected group (NI). Survival, N. ceranae spore load and oxidative stress parameters together with expression levels of antioxidant enzyme genes and vitellogenin gene were monitored. The mortality in the T, IT and NI groups was significantly (p < 0.001) lower than in than in the I group. Within Nosema-infected groups, the IT group had a significantly lower (p < 0.001) number of N. ceranae spores than the I group. In addition, expression levels of genes for antioxidant enzymes were lower (p < 0.001) in the IT group compared to the I group. The concentration of malondialdehyde and the activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione S-transferase) were significantly lower (p < 0.001) in the IT group compared to the I group. No negative effects of the tested supplement were observed. All these findings indicate that the tested supplement exerted beneficial effects manifested in better bee survival, reduced N. ceranae spore number and reduced oxidative stress of bees (lower expression of genes for antioxidant enzymes and oxidative stress parameters).
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Affiliation(s)
- Nemanja M. Jovanovic
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bul. Oslobodjenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (N.M.J.); (T.I.)
| | - Uros Glavinic
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bul. Oslobodjenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (U.G.); (M.R.); (Z.S.)
| | - Marko Ristanic
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bul. Oslobodjenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (U.G.); (M.R.); (Z.S.)
| | - Branislav Vejnovic
- Department of Economics and Statistics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bul. Oslobodjenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Tamara Ilic
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bul. Oslobodjenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (N.M.J.); (T.I.)
| | - Jevrosima Stevanovic
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bul. Oslobodjenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (U.G.); (M.R.); (Z.S.)
| | - Zoran Stanimirovic
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bul. Oslobodjenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (U.G.); (M.R.); (Z.S.)
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17
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Biganski S, Lester T, Obshta O, Jose MS, Thebeau JM, Masood F, Silva MCB, Camilli MP, Raza MF, Zabrodski MW, Kozii I, Koziy R, Moshynskyy I, Simko E, Wood SC. Comparison of individual and pooled sampling methods for estimation of Vairimorpha ( Nosema) spp. levels in experimentally infected honey bee colonies. J Vet Diagn Invest 2023; 35:639-644. [PMID: 37638692 PMCID: PMC10621544 DOI: 10.1177/10406387231194620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The microsporidian pathogens Vairimorpha apis and V. ceranae are known to cause intestinal infection in honey bees and are associated with decreased colony productivity and colony loss. The widely accepted method for determining Vairimorpha colony infection level for risk assessment and antibiotic treatment is based on spore counts of 60 pooled worker bees using light microscopy. Given that honey bee colonies consist of as many as 1,000 times more individuals, the number of bees collected for Vairimorpha detection may significantly impact the estimated colony infection level, especially in the case of uneven distribution of high- and low-infected individuals within a hive. Hence, we compared the frequency and severity of Vairimorpha infection in individual bees to pooled samples of 60, 120, and 180 bees, as well as compared the Vairimorpha spp. prevalence in pooled samples of 60 and 180 bees. Overall, we did not find significant differences in spore counts in pooled samples containing incremental numbers of bees, although we observed that, in less-infected colonies, a low frequency of highly infected individuals influenced the estimated colony infection level. Moreover, Vairimorpha spp. prevalence did not differ significantly among the pooled bee samples tested. Increasing the number of pooled bees from the recommended 60 bees to 180 bees did not yield a more accurate representation of colony infection level for highly infected colonies, but the clinical importance of a low frequency of highly infected individuals in less-infected colonies needs to be addressed in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Biganski
- Departments of Veterinary Pathology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Tessa Lester
- Departments of Veterinary Pathology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Oleksii Obshta
- Departments of Veterinary Pathology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Midhun S. Jose
- Departments of Veterinary Pathology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Jenna M. Thebeau
- Departments of Veterinary Pathology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Fatima Masood
- Veterinary Microbiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Marina C. B. Silva
- Departments of Veterinary Pathology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Marcelo P. Camilli
- Departments of Veterinary Pathology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Muhammad F. Raza
- Departments of Veterinary Pathology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Michael W. Zabrodski
- Western College of Veterinary Medicine, and Prairie Diagnostic Services, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Ivanna Kozii
- Western College of Veterinary Medicine, and Prairie Diagnostic Services, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Roman Koziy
- Western College of Veterinary Medicine, and Prairie Diagnostic Services, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Igor Moshynskyy
- Departments of Veterinary Pathology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Elemir Simko
- Departments of Veterinary Pathology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Sarah C. Wood
- Departments of Veterinary Pathology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
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18
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Wang Y, Chen J, Na Y, Li XC, Zhou JF, Fang WH, Tan HX. Ecytonucleospora hepatopenaei n. gen. et comb. (Microsporidia: Enterocytozoonidae): A redescription of the Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (Tourtip et al., 2009), a microsporidian infecting the widely cultivated shrimp Penaeus vannamei. J Invertebr Pathol 2023; 201:107988. [PMID: 37657756 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2023.107988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
The microsporidian Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei from Penaeus vannamei (EHPPv) was redescribed on the basis of spore morphology, life cycle, pathology, and molecular character. Compared with the Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei isolated from Penaeus monodon (EHPPm), described by Tourtip et al. in 2009, new features were found in EHPPv. Electron microscopy demonstrated that EHPPv was closely associated with the nucleus of host cell. The merogony and sporogony phages were in direct contact with the cytoplasm of host cells, whereas some of the sporoblasts and the spores were surrounded by the interfacial envelope. Mature spores of EHPPv were oval and monokaryotic, measuring 1.65 ± 0.15 μm × 0.92 ± 0.05 μm. Spores possessed many polyribosomes around a bipartite polaroplast and the polar filament with 4-5 coils in two rows. Phylogenetic analyses showed all Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei isolates shared a common ancestor. Based on the morphological and molecular analyses, we propose the establishment of a new genus Ecytonucleospora and transferring Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei to the genus Ecytonucleospora, retaining the specific epithet hepatopenaei that Tourtip et al. proposed in recognition of their first research, as the new combination Ecytonucleospora hepatopenaei n. comb. Furthermore, it was suggested Enterospora nucleophila, Enterocytozoon sp. isolate RA19015_21, and Enterocytozoon schreckii be assigned into this new genus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Wang
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Aquaculture, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, China Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai 200090, China.
| | - Jie Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Control, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Ying Na
- East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, China Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai 200090, China
| | - Xin-Cang Li
- East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, China Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai 200090, China
| | - Jun-Fang Zhou
- East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, China Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai 200090, China
| | - Wen-Hong Fang
- East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, China Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai 200090, China
| | - Hong-Xin Tan
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Aquaculture, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China.
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19
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O'Shea-Wheller TA, Curtis RJ, Kennedy PJ, Groom EKJ, Poidatz J, Raffle DS, Rojas-Nossa SV, Bartolomé C, Dasilva-Martins D, Maside X, Mato S, Osborne JL. Quantifying the impact of an invasive Hornet on Bombus terrestris Colonies. Commun Biol 2023; 6:990. [PMID: 37798331 PMCID: PMC10556089 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05329-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The invasive hornet Vespa velutina nigrithorax is considered a proliferating threat to pollinators in Europe and Asia. While the impact of this species on managed honey bees is well-documented, effects upon other pollinator populations remain poorly understood. Nonetheless, dietary analyses indicate that the hornets consume a diversity of prey, fuelling concerns for at-risk taxa. Here, we quantify the impact of V. velutina upon standardised commercially-reared colonies of the European bumblebee, Bombus terrestris terrestris. Using a landscape-scale experimental design, we deploy colonies across a gradient of local V. velutina densities, utilising automated tracking to non-invasively observe bee and hornet behaviour, and quantify subsequent effects upon colony outcomes. Our results demonstrate that hornets frequently hunt at B. terrestris colonies, being preferentially attracted to those with high foraging traffic, and engaging in repeated-yet entirely unsuccessful-predation attempts at nest entrances. Notably however, we show that B. terrestris colony weights are negatively associated with local V. velutina densities, indicating potential indirect effects upon colony growth. Taken together, these findings provide the first empirical insight into impacts on bumblebees at the colony level, and inform future mitigation efforts for wild and managed pollinators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas A O'Shea-Wheller
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, TR109FE, United Kingdom.
| | - Robin J Curtis
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, TR109FE, United Kingdom
| | - Peter J Kennedy
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, TR109FE, United Kingdom
| | - Ellen K J Groom
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, TR109FE, United Kingdom
| | - Juliette Poidatz
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, TR109FE, United Kingdom
- UMR PVBMT, Peuplements Végétaux et Bioagresseurs en Milieu Tropical, CIRAD, 97410, Saint Pierre, La Réunion, France
| | - David S Raffle
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, TR109FE, United Kingdom
| | - Sandra V Rojas-Nossa
- Department of Ecology and Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Vigo, 36310, Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain
| | - Carolina Bartolomé
- Grupo de Medicina Xenómica, CIMUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15781, Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Damián Dasilva-Martins
- Grupo de Medicina Xenómica, CIMUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15781, Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Xulio Maside
- Grupo de Medicina Xenómica, CIMUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15781, Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Salustiano Mato
- Department of Ecology and Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Vigo, 36310, Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain
| | - Juliet L Osborne
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, TR109FE, United Kingdom
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20
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Zbrozek M, Fearon ML, Weise C, Tibbetts EA. Honeybee visitation to shared flowers increases Vairimorpha ceranae prevalence in bumblebees. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10528. [PMID: 37736280 PMCID: PMC10511299 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Vairimorpha (=Nosema) ceranae is a widespread pollinator parasite that commonly infects honeybees and wild pollinators, including bumblebees. Honeybees are highly competent V. ceranae hosts and previous work in experimental flight cages suggests V. ceranae can be transmitted during visitation to shared flowers. However, the relationship between floral visitation in the natural environment and the prevalence of V. ceranae among multiple bee species has not been explored. Here, we analyzed the number and duration of pollinator visits to particular components of squash flowers-including the petals, stamen, and nectary-at six farms in southeastern Michigan, USA. We also determined the prevalence of V. ceranae in honeybees and bumblebees at each site. Our results showed that more honeybee flower contacts and longer duration of contacts with pollen and nectar were linked with greater V. ceranae prevalence in bumblebees. Honeybee visitation patterns appear to have a disproportionately large impact on V. ceranae prevalence in bumblebees even though honeybees are not the most frequent flower visitors. Floral visitation by squash bees or other pollinators was not linked with V. ceranae prevalence in bumblebees. Further, V. ceranae prevalence in honeybees was unaffected by floral visitation behaviors by any pollinator species. These results suggest that honeybee visitation behaviors on shared floral resources may be an important contributor to increased V. ceranae spillover to bumblebees in the field. Understanding how V. ceranae prevalence is influenced by pollinator behavior in the shared floral landscape is critical for reducing parasite spillover into declining wild bee populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryellen Zbrozek
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary BiologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | - Michelle L. Fearon
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary BiologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | - Chloe Weise
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary BiologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | - Elizabeth A. Tibbetts
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary BiologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
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21
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Deutsch KR, Graham JR, Boncristiani HF, Bustamante T, Mortensen AN, Schmehl DR, Wedde AE, Lopez DL, Evans JD, Ellis JD. Widespread distribution of honey bee-associated pathogens in native bees and wasps: Trends in pathogen prevalence and co-occurrence. J Invertebr Pathol 2023; 200:107973. [PMID: 37479057 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2023.107973] [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: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
Pollinators have experienced significant declines in the past decade, in part due to emerging infectious diseases. Historically, studies have primarily focused on pathogens in the Western honey bee, Apis mellifera. However, recent work has demonstrated that these pathogens are shared by other pollinators and can negatively affect their health. Here, we surveyed honey bees and 15 native bee and wasp species for 13 pathogens traditionally associated with honey bees. The native bee and wasp species included 11 species not previously screened for pathogens. We found at least one honey bee-associated pathogen in 53% of native bee and wasp samples. The most widely distributed and commonly detected pathogens were the microsporidian Nosema ceranae, the bacterium Melissococcus plutonius, and the viruses deformed wing virus and black queen cell virus. The prevalence of viruses was generally higher in honey bees than in native bees and wasps. However, the prevalence of M. plutonius and the brood fungus Ascosphaera apis was significantly higher in some native bee species than in honey bees. The data also reveal novel trends in the association between co-occurring pathogens in honey bees and native bees and wasps at the pathogen community level. These results can inform the assessment of risks that native pollinator species face from pathogen stress, and indicate that many non-viral pathogens, notably M. plutonius and N. ceranae, are far more widely distributed and commonly found in native bees and wasps than previously thought.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jason R Graham
- Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Planet Bee Foundation, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Humberto F Boncristiani
- Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Inside The Hive Media, Consulting Inc., Odenton, MD 21113, USA
| | - Tomas Bustamante
- Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Independent Collaborator, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Ashley N Mortensen
- Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Bisley Road, Hamilton 3214, New Zealand
| | - Daniel R Schmehl
- Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Bayer CropScience LP, 700 Chesterfield Pwky. W., Chesterfield, MO 63017, USA
| | - Ashlyn E Wedde
- Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Driscoll's Global R&D, Watsonville, CA, USA
| | - Dawn L Lopez
- Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD, USA
| | - Jay D Evans
- Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD, USA
| | - James D Ellis
- Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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22
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Martinez A, Calhoun AC, Sadd BM. Investigating the influence of diet diversity on infection outcomes in a bumble bee ( Bombus impatiens) and microsporidian ( Nosema bombi) host-pathogen system. FRONTIERS IN INSECT SCIENCE 2023; 3:1207058. [PMID: 38469464 PMCID: PMC10926413 DOI: 10.3389/finsc.2023.1207058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Diet can have an array of both direct and indirect effects on an organism's health and fitness, which can influence the outcomes of host-pathogen interactions. Land use changes, which could impact diet quantity and quality, have imposed foraging stress on important natural and agricultural pollinators. Diet related stress could exacerbate existing negative impacts of pathogen infection. Accounting for most of its nutritional intake in terms of protein and many micronutrients, pollen can influence bee health through changes in immunity, infection, and various aspects of individual and colony fitness. We investigate how adult pollen consumption, pollen type, and pollen diversity influence bumble bee Bombus impatiens survival and infection outcomes for a microsporidian pathogen Nosema (Vairimorpha) bombi. Experimental pathogen exposures of larvae occurred in microcolonies and newly emerged adult workers were given one of three predominantly monofloral, polyfloral, or no pollen diets. Workers were assessed for size, pollen consumption, infection 8-days following adult-eclosion, survival, and the presence of extracellular microsporidian spores at death. Pollen diet treatment, specifically absence of pollen, and infection independently reduced survival, but we saw no effects of pollen, pollen type, or pollen diet diversity on infection outcomes. The latter suggests infection outcomes were likely already set, prior to differential diets. Although infection outcomes were not altered by pollen diet in our study, it highlights both pathogen infection and pollen availability as important for bumble bee health, and these factors may interact at different stages of bumble bee development, at the colony level, or under different dietary regimes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ben M. Sadd
- School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal, IL, United States
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23
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Koch JBU, Sim SB, Scheffler B, Geib SM, Smith TA. Chromosome-scale genome assembly of the rusty patched bumble bee, Bombus affinis (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Apidae), an endangered North American pollinator. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2023; 13:jkad119. [PMID: 37336593 PMCID: PMC10411558 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkad119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
The rusty patched bumble bee, Bombus affinis, is an important pollinator in North America and a federally listed endangered species. Due to habitat loss and large declines in population size, B. affinis is facing imminent extinction unless human intervention and recovery efforts are implemented. To better understand B. affinis biology and population genetic and genomic landscapes, we sequenced and assembled the B. affinis genome from a single haploid male. Whole genome HiFi sequencing on PacBio coupled with HiC sequencing resulted in a complete and highly contiguous contig assembly that was scaffolded into a chromosomal context, resolving 18 chromosomes distributed across the 365.1 Mb assembly. All material for both HiFi and HiC sequencing was derived from a single abdominal tissue segment from the single male. These assembly results, coupled with the minimal amount of tissue destructively sampled, demonstrate methods for generating contiguous and complete genomic resources for a rare and endangered species with limited material available and highlight the importance of sample preservation. Precise methods and applications of these methods are presented for potential applications in other species with similar limitations in specimen availability and curation considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Berenguer Uhuad Koch
- Pollinating Insect Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Logan, UT 84341, USA
| | - Sheina B Sim
- Tropical Pest Genetics and Molecular Biology Research Unit, U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Hilo, HI 96720, USA
| | - Brian Scheffler
- Genomics and Bioinformatics Research Unit, Jamie Whitten Delta States Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Stoneville, MS 38776, USA
| | - Scott M Geib
- Tropical Pest Genetics and Molecular Biology Research Unit, U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Hilo, HI 96720, USA
| | - Tamara A Smith
- Minnesota/Wisconsin Ecological Services Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bloomington, MN 55425, USA
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24
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Bacela-Spychalska K, Wattier R, Teixeira M, Cordaux R, Quiles A, Grabowski M, Wroblewski P, Ovcharenko M, Grabner D, Weber D, Weigand AM, Rigaud T. Widespread infection, diversification and old host associations of Nosema Microsporidia in European freshwater gammarids (Amphipoda). PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011560. [PMID: 37603557 PMCID: PMC10470943 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The microsporidian genus Nosema is primarily known to infect insects of economic importance stimulating high research interest, while other hosts remain understudied. Nosema granulosis is one of the formally described Nosema species infecting amphipod crustaceans, being known to infect only two host species. Our first aim was to characterize Nosema spp. infections in different amphipod species from various European localities using the small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU) marker. Second, we aimed to assess the phylogenetic diversity, host specificity and to explore the evolutionary history that may explain the diversity of gammarid-infecting Nosema lineages by performing a phylogenetic reconstruction based on RNA polymerase II subunit B1 (RPB1) gene sequences. For the host species Gammarus balcanicus, we also analyzed whether parasites were in excess in females to test for sex ratio distortion in relation with Nosema infection. We identified Nosema spp. in 316 individuals from nine amphipod species being widespread in Europe. The RPB1-based phylogenetic reconstruction using newly reported sequences and available data from other invertebrates identified 39 haplogroups being associated with amphipods. These haplogroups clustered into five clades (A-E) that did not form a single amphipod-infecting monophyletic group. Closely related sister clades C and D correspond to Nosema granulosis. Clades A, B and E might represent unknown Nosema species infecting amphipods. Host specificity seemed to be variable with some clades being restricted to single hosts, and some that could be found in several host species. We show that Nosema parasite richness in gammarid hosts is much higher than expected, illustrating the advantage of the use of RPB1 marker over SSU. Finally, we found no hint of sex ratio distortion in Nosema clade A infecting G. balcanicus. This study shows that Nosema spp. are abundant, widespread and diverse in European gammarids. Thus, Nosema is as diverse in aquatic as in terrestrial hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Bacela-Spychalska
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Hydrobiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Remi Wattier
- Laboratoire Biogéosciences, UMR CNRS 6282, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | - Maria Teixeira
- Laboratoire Biogéosciences, UMR CNRS 6282, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | - Richard Cordaux
- Laboratoire Ecologie et Biologie des Interactions, Equipe Ecologie Evolution Symbiose, UMR CNRS 7267, Université de Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | - Adrien Quiles
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Hydrobiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
- Laboratoire Biogéosciences, UMR CNRS 6282, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | - Michal Grabowski
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Hydrobiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Piotr Wroblewski
- Department of Ecology and Evolution of Parasitism, Witold Stefanski Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Science, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Mykola Ovcharenko
- Department of Ecology and Evolution of Parasitism, Witold Stefanski Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Science, Warsaw, Poland
- Institute of Biology and Earth Sciences, Pomeranian University in Slupsk, Slupsk, Poland
| | - Daniel Grabner
- Aquatic Ecology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Centre for Water and Environmental Research, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Dieter Weber
- Senckenberg Deutsches Entomologisches Institut Müncheberg, Germany
- Musée National d’Histoire Naturelle Luxembourg, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | | | - Thierry Rigaud
- Laboratoire Biogéosciences, UMR CNRS 6282, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
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25
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Blot N, Clémencet J, Jourda C, Lefeuvre P, Warrit N, Esnault O, Delatte H. Geographic population structure of the honeybee microsporidian parasite Vairimorpha (Nosema) ceranae in the South West Indian Ocean. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12122. [PMID: 37495608 PMCID: PMC10372035 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38905-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The microsporidian Vairimorpha (Nosema) ceranae is one of the most common parasites of the honeybee. A single honeybee carries many parasites and therefore multiple alleles of V. ceranae genes that seem to be ubiquitous. As a consequence, nucleotide diversity analyses have not allowed discriminating genetic structure of parasite populations. We performed deep loci-targeted sequencing to monitor the haplotype frequencies of genome markers in isolates from discontinuous territories, namely the tropical islands of the South West Indian Ocean. The haplotype frequency distribution corroborated the suspected tetraploidy of the parasite. Most major haplotypes were ubiquitous in the area but with variable frequency. While oceanic isolates differed from European and Asian outgroups, parasite populations from distinct archipelagoes also differed in their haplotype distribution. Interestingly an original and very divergent Malagasy isolate was detected. The observed population structure allowed formulating hypotheses upon the natural history of V. ceranae in this oceanic area. We also discussed the usefulness of allelic distribution assessment, using multiple informative loci or genome-wide analyses, when parasite population is not clonal within a single host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Blot
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, "Laboratoire Microorganismes: Génome et Environnement", Clermont-Ferrand, France.
| | - Johanna Clémencet
- Université de la Réunion, UMR Peuplements Végétaux et Bio-agresseurs en Milieu Tropical, 97410, Saint-Pierre, La Réunion, France
| | - Cyril Jourda
- CIRAD, UMR Peuplements Végétaux et Bio-agresseurs en Milieu Tropical, 97410, Saint-Pierre, La Réunion, France
| | - Pierre Lefeuvre
- CIRAD, UMR Peuplements Végétaux et Bio-agresseurs en Milieu Tropical, 97410, Saint-Pierre, La Réunion, France
| | - Natapot Warrit
- Center of Excellence in Entomology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Olivier Esnault
- Groupement de Défense Sanitaire de la Réunion, La Plaine des Cafres, France
| | - Hélène Delatte
- CIRAD, UMR Peuplements Végétaux et Bio-agresseurs en Milieu Tropical, 101, Antananarivo, Madagascar
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26
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Kaskinova MD, Salikhova AM, Gaifullina LR, Saltykova ES. Genetic methods in honey bee breeding. Vavilovskii Zhurnal Genet Selektsii 2023; 27:366-372. [PMID: 37465190 PMCID: PMC10350855 DOI: 10.18699/vjgb-23-44] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The honey bee Apis mellifera is a rather difficult object for selection due to the peculiarities of its biology. Breeding activities in beekeeping are aimed at obtaining bee colonies with high rates of economically useful traits, such as productivity, resistance to low temperatures and diseases, hygienic behavior, oviposition of the queen, etc. With two apiaries specializing in the breeding of A. m. mellifera and A. m. carnica as examples, the application of genetic methods in the selection of honey bees is considered. The first stage of the work was subspecies identification based on the analysis of the polymorphism of the intergenic mtDNA locus tRNAleu-COII (or COI-COII) and microsatellite nuclear DNA loci Ap243, 4a110, A24, A8, A43, A113, A88, Ap049, A28. This analysis confirmed that the studied colonies correspond to the declared subspecies. In the apiary with A. m. mellifera, hybrid colonies have been identified. A method based on the analysis of polymorphisms of the tRNAleu-COII locus and microsatellite nuclear DNA loci has been developed to identify the dark forest bee A. m. mellifera and does not allow one to differentiate subspecies from C (A. m. carnica and A. m. ligustica) and O (A. m. caucasica) evolutionary lineages from each other. The second stage was the assessment of the allelic diversity of the csd gene. In the apiary containing colonies of A. m. mellifera (N = 15), 20 csd alleles were identified. In the apiary containing colonies of A. m. carnica (N = 44), 41 alleles were identified. Six alleles are shared by both apiaries. DNA diagnostics of bee diseases showed that the studied colonies are healthy. Based on the data obtained, a scheme was developed for obtaining primary material for honey bee breeding, which can subsequently be subjected to selection according to economically useful traits. In addition, the annual assessment of the allelic diversity of the csd gene will shed light on the frequency of formation of new allelic variants and other issues related to the evolution of this gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- M D Kaskinova
- Institute of Biochemistry and Genetics - Subdivision of the Ufa Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Ufa, Russia
| | - A M Salikhova
- Institute of Biochemistry and Genetics - Subdivision of the Ufa Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Ufa, Russia
| | - L R Gaifullina
- Institute of Biochemistry and Genetics - Subdivision of the Ufa Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Ufa, Russia
| | - E S Saltykova
- Institute of Biochemistry and Genetics - Subdivision of the Ufa Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Ufa, Russia
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27
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Motta EVS, Arnott RLW, Moran NA. Caffeine Consumption Helps Honey Bees Fight a Bacterial Pathogen. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0052023. [PMID: 37212661 PMCID: PMC10269917 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00520-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Caffeine has long been used as a stimulant by humans. Although this secondary metabolite is produced by some plants as a mechanism of defense against herbivores, beneficial or detrimental effects of such consumption are usually associated with dose. The Western honey bee, Apis mellifera, can also be exposed to caffeine when foraging at Coffea and Citrus plants, and low doses as are found in the nectar of these plants seem to boost memory learning and ameliorate parasite infection in bees. In this study, we investigated the effects of caffeine consumption on the gut microbiota of honey bees and on susceptibility to bacterial infection. We performed in vivo experiments in which honey bees, deprived of or colonized with their native microbiota, were exposed to nectar-relevant concentrations of caffeine for a week, then challenged with the bacterial pathogen Serratia marcescens. We found that caffeine consumption did not impact the gut microbiota or survival rates of honey bees. Moreover, microbiota-colonized bees exposed to caffeine were more resistant to infection and exhibited increased survival rates compared to microbiota-colonized or microbiota-deprived bees only exposed to the pathogen. Our findings point to an additional benefit of caffeine consumption in honey bee health by protecting against bacterial infections. IMPORTANCE The consumption of caffeine is a remarkable feature of the human diet. Common drinks, such as coffee and tea, contain caffeine as a stimulant. Interestingly, honey bees also seem to like caffeine. They are usually attracted to the low concentrations of caffeine found in nectar and pollen of Coffea plants, and consumption improves learning and memory retention, as well as protects against viruses and fungal parasites. In this study, we expanded these findings by demonstrating that caffeine can improve survival rates of honey bees infected with Serratia marcescens, a bacterial pathogen known to cause sepsis in animals. However, this beneficial effect was only observed when bees were colonized with their native gut microbiota, and caffeine seemed not to directly affect the gut microbiota or survival rates of bees. Our findings suggest a potential synergism between caffeine and gut microbial communities in protection against bacterial pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erick V. S. Motta
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Ryan L. W. Arnott
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Nancy A. Moran
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
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28
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Punko RN, Currie RW, Nasr ME, Hoover SE. Effect of Fumagilin-B treatment timing on nosema (Vairimorpha spp.; Microspora: Nosematidae) abundance and honey bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) colonies under winter management in the Canadian Prairies. JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2023; 116:651-661. [PMID: 37119539 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toad066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Fumagilin-B is used to treat nosema infection in honey bee colonies; however, it is unclear whether treatment consistently reduces Vairimorpha ceranae (Fries et al.) abundance and improves colony strength and survival in the Canadian Prairies. This study assessed spring and fall fumagillin treatments on nosema abundance, colony strength, and mortality in 2 different beekeeping regions within Alberta, using both indoor and outdoor wintering management at each site. We compared 4 fumagillin treatments: Spring-only, Fall-only, Spring-and-Fall, and Control (no treatment). The spring treatment dose was ~68 mg/colony, whereas the fall treatment dose was 120 or 48 mg/colony, depending on the year. We found that the colonies were infected predominately with V. ceranae, with V. apis (Zander) present only in mixed infections in a subset of colonies. Although treatment in either the spring or fall did reduce nosema abundance in the short term, it did not eliminate the infection, making continued monitoring necessary. Colony strength was improved by spring treatment in some locations but not consistently, possibly due to the treatment timing or low dose. The combined spring and fall treatment increased colony survival over winter in one of 2 yr. Wintering method did not interact with treatment to affect nosema abundance in the spring. There does not appear to be a significant residual benefit of fall treatment as it did not reduce spring nosema abundance or increase colony population. Therefore, spring treatment should be applied to reduce spring V. ceranae abundance rather than relying on residual efficacy from previous fall treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosanna N Punko
- Department of Entomology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Robert W Currie
- Department of Entomology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Medhat E Nasr
- Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, Government of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Shelley E Hoover
- Department of Entomology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4, Canada
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Stratton CE, Reisinger LS, Behringer DC, Reinke AW, Bojko J. Alternosema astaquatica n. sp. (Microsporidia: Enterocytozoonida), a systemic parasite of the crayfish Faxonius virilis. J Invertebr Pathol 2023:107948. [PMID: 37276935 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2023.107948] [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: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Crayfish have strong ecological impacts in freshwater systems, yet our knowledge of their parasites is limited. This study describes the first systemic microsporidium (infects multiple tissue types) Alternosema astaquatica n. sp. (Enterocytozoonida) isolated from a crayfish host, Faxonius virilis, using histopathology, transmission electron microscopy, gene sequencing, and phylogenetics. The parasite develops in direct contact with the host cell cytoplasm producing mature spores that are monokaryotic and ellipsoid in shape. Spores have 9-10 coils of the polar filament and measure 3.07 ± 0.26 µm (SD) in length and 0.93 ± 0.08 µm (SD) in width. Our novel isolate has high genetic similarity to Alternosema bostrichidis isolated from terrestrial beetles; however, genetic data from this parasite is restricted to a small fragment (396bp) of the SSU gene. Additional data related to spore morphology and development, host, environment, and ecology indicate that our novel isolate is distinct from A. bostrichidis, which supports a new species description. Alternosema astaquatica n. sp. represents a novel member of the Orthosomella-like group which appears to be a set of opportunists within the Enterocytozoonida. The presence of this microsporidium in F. virilis could be relevant for freshwater ecosystems across this crayfish's broad geographic range in North America and may affect interactions between F. virilis and invasive rusty crayfish Faxonius rusticus in the Midwest USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheyenne E Stratton
- Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 32653, USA.
| | - Lindsey S Reisinger
- Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 32653, USA
| | - Donald C Behringer
- Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 32653, USA; Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 32611, USA
| | - Aaron W Reinke
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jamie Bojko
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, TS1 3BX, UK; National Horizons Centre, Teesside University, Darlington, DL1 1HG, UK.
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Stratton CE, Kabalan BA, Bolds SA, Reisinger LS, Behringer DC, Bojko J. Cambaraspora faxoni n. sp. (Microsporidia: Glugeida) from native and invasive crayfish in the USA and a novel host of Cambaraspora floridanus. J Invertebr Pathol 2023:107949. [PMID: 37276936 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2023.107949] [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: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Crayfishes are among the most widely introduced freshwater taxa and can have extensive ecological impacts. Knowledge of the parasites crayfish harbor is limited, yet co-invasion of parasites is a significant risk associated with invasions. In this study, we describe a novel microsporidium, Cambaraspora faxoni n. sp. (Glugeida: Tuzetiidae), from two crayfish hosts in the Midwest USA, Faxonius virilis and Faxonius rusticus. We also expand the known host range of Cambaraspora floridanus to include Procambarus spiculifer. Cambaraspora faxoni infects muscle and heart tissue of F. rusticus and develops within a sporophorous vesicle. The mature spore measures 3.22 ± 0.14 μm in length and 1.45 ± 0.13 μm in width, with 8-9 turns of the polar filament. SSU sequencing indicates the isolates from F. virilis and F. rusticus were identical (100%) and 93.49% similar to C. floridanus, supporting the erection of a new species within the Cambaraspora genus. The novel parasite was discovered within the native range of F. rusticus (Ohio, USA) and within a native congeneric (F. virilis) in the invasive range of F. rusticus (Wisconsin, USA). Faxonius virilis is invasive in other regions. This new parasite could have been introduced to Wisconsin with F. rusticus or it may be a generalist species with a broad distribution. In either case, this parasite infects two crayfish species that have been widely introduced to new drainages throughout North America and could have future effects on invasion dynamics or impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheyenne E Stratton
- Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 32653, USA.
| | - Bana A Kabalan
- Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 32653, USA
| | - Sara A Bolds
- Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 32653, USA
| | - Lindsey S Reisinger
- Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 32653, USA
| | - Donald C Behringer
- Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 32653, USA; Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 32611, USA
| | - Jamie Bojko
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, TS1 3BX, UK; National Horizons Centre, Teesside University, Darlington, DL1 1HG, UK.
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31
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Orlova M, Porter M, Hines HM, Amsalem E. Symptomatic Infection with Vairimorpha spp. Decreases Diapause Survival in a Wild Bumble Bee Species ( Bombus griseocollis). Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13101656. [PMID: 37238086 DOI: 10.3390/ani13101656] [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: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Vairimorpha, a microsporidian parasite (previously classified as Nosema), has been implicated in the decline of wild bumble bee species in North America. Previous studies examining its influence on colony performance have displayed variable results, from extremely detrimental effects to no observable influence, and little is known about the effects it has on individuals during the winter diapause, a bottleneck for survival in many annual pollinators. Here, we examined the effect of Vairimorpha infection, body size, and mass on diapause survival in Bombus griseocollis gynes. We demonstrate that gyne survival length in diapause is negatively affected by symptomatic Vairimorpha infection of the maternal colony but does not correlate with individual pathogen load. Our findings further indicate that increased body mass offers a protective effect against mortality during diapause in infected, but not in healthy, gynes. This suggests that access to adequate nutritional resources prior to diapause might offset the harmful effect of Vairimorpha infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarita Orlova
- Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, State University of New York Polytechnic Institute, Utica, NY 13502, USA
| | - Monique Porter
- Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Heather M Hines
- Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Etya Amsalem
- Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
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Lim HC, Lambrecht D, Forkner RE, Roulston T. Minimal Sharing of Nosematid and Trypanosomatid Parasites between Honey Bees and Other Bees, but Extensive Sharing of Crithidia between Bumble and Mason Bees. J Invertebr Pathol 2023; 198:107933. [PMID: 37169330 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2023.107933] [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: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
We document gut parasites in co-occurring Apis, Bombus, and Osmia spp. in the Northern Virginia region, USA. Trypanosomatidea occurred in sixty percent of specimens and 13% carried Nosematidae. We found strong host partitioning: Lotmaria passim and Vairimorpha (Nosema) ceranae predominated in Apis, and Crithidia bombi and V. bombi in Bombus. We did not detect pathogen spread from Apis to Bombus but did detect sharing of C. bombi between Bombus and Osmia, higher parasite levels in Apis at sites with apiaries, and clustering of Vairimopha infection. Given the presence of C. bombi in Osmia, we suggest disease sharing across taxa be monitored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haw Chuan Lim
- Department of Biology, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, USA; Center for Conservation Genomics, Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Washington, D.C., USA.
| | - David Lambrecht
- Department of Biology, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, USA
| | - Rebecca E Forkner
- Department of Biology, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, USA
| | - T'ai Roulston
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
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Chauvet M, Monjot A, Moné A, Lepère C. Single Cell Analysis Reveals a New Microsporidia-Host Association in a Freshwater Lake. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2023; 85:1630-1633. [PMID: 35552794 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-022-02023-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Microsporidia are a large group of obligate intracellular eukaryotic parasites. Recent studies suggest that their diversity can be huge in freshwater lake ecosystems especially in the < 150-µm size fraction. However, little is known about their hosts and therefore their impact on the trophic food web functioning. In this study, single cell analysis and fluorescence microscopy were used to detect new host-parasite association within rotifer communities in lake Aydat (France). Our analysis showed the existence of a potential new species belonging to the Crispospora genus able of infecting the rotifer Kellicottia with a high prevalence (42.5%) suggesting that Microsporidia could have a great impact on the rotifer populations' regulation in lakes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Chauvet
- CNRS, Laboratoire Microorganismes : Génome Et Environnement, Université Clermont Auvergne, 63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Arthur Monjot
- CNRS, Laboratoire Microorganismes : Génome Et Environnement, Université Clermont Auvergne, 63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Anne Moné
- CNRS, Laboratoire Microorganismes : Génome Et Environnement, Université Clermont Auvergne, 63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Cécile Lepère
- CNRS, Laboratoire Microorganismes : Génome Et Environnement, Université Clermont Auvergne, 63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
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34
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Underwood RM, Lawrence BL, Turley NE, Cambron-Kopco LD, Kietzman PM, Traver BE, López-Uribe MM. A longitudinal experiment demonstrates that honey bee colonies managed organically are as healthy and productive as those managed conventionally. Sci Rep 2023; 13:6072. [PMID: 37055462 PMCID: PMC10100614 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32824-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Honey bee colony management is critical to mitigating the negative effects of biotic and abiotic stressors. However, there is significant variation in the practices implemented by beekeepers, which results in varying management systems. This longitudinal study incorporated a systems approach to experimentally test the role of three representative beekeeping management systems (conventional, organic, and chemical-free) on the health and productivity of stationary honey-producing colonies over 3 years. We found that the survival rates for colonies in the conventional and organic management systems were equivalent, but around 2.8 times greater than the survival under chemical-free management. Honey production was also similar, with 102% and 119% more honey produced in conventional and organic management systems, respectively, than in the chemical-free management system. We also report significant differences in biomarkers of health including pathogen levels (DWV, IAPV, Vairimorpha apis, Vairimorpha ceranae) and gene expression (def-1, hym, nkd, vg). Our results experimentally demonstrate that beekeeping management practices are key drivers of survival and productivity of managed honey bee colonies. More importantly, we found that the organic management system-which uses organic-approved chemicals for mite control-supports healthy and productive colonies, and can be incorporated as a sustainable approach for stationary honey-producing beekeeping operations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robyn M Underwood
- Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
| | - Brooke L Lawrence
- Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Nash E Turley
- Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | | | - Parry M Kietzman
- School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Brenna E Traver
- Department of Biology, Penn State Schuylkill, Schuylkill Haven, PA, USA
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35
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Yanagisawa T, Kato Y, Inoue MN. Infection Prevalence of Microsporidia Vairimorpha ( Nosema) spp. in Japanese Bumblebees. INSECTS 2023; 14:340. [PMID: 37103155 PMCID: PMC10145284 DOI: 10.3390/insects14040340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Microsporidia are spore-forming intracellular parasites of various invertebrates and vertebrates. Vairimorpha bombi negatively affects the fitness of bumblebees and its prevalence correlates with declining bumblebee populations. The invasive alien species Bombus terrestris colonized Japan and possibly introduced new parasites. To assess the infection prevalence of V. bombi in Japanese bumblebees and B. terrestris, we investigated V. bombi infections using PCR and microscopy. The prevalence of sporulating V. bombi infections in three Bombus s. str. species/subspecies was low, whereas that of non/low-sporulating Vairimorpha sp. infections in three Diversobombus species/subspecies was high. Invasive B. terrestris showed low prevalence of non/low-sporulating V. bombi infections and shared the same V. bombi haplotype with B. hypocrita found in Hokkaido, where B. terrestris is present, and in Honshu, where B. terrestris is absent. Although V. bombi may have been introduced with B. terrestris colonies imported from Europe, it seems to be originally distributed in Japan. Furthermore, a new Vairimorpha sp. was found in Japanese bumblebee species. V. bombi and Vairimorpha sp. showed different organ and host specificities in bumblebees. There are no reports on the specific effects of other Vairimorpha spp. on bumblebees; further studies are needed to clarify the individual characteristics of Vairimorpha spp.
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36
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Weng M, Zhang X, Xin Z, Xue S, Zhang Q, Li A, Zhang J. Intraspecific genetic diversity of the fish-infecting microsporidian parasite Pseudokabatana alburnus (Microsporidia). Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1129136. [PMID: 36970667 PMCID: PMC10034183 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1129136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Pseudokabatana alburnus is a xenoma-forming fish microsporidium, firstly described from the liver of the Culter alburnus from Poyang Lake in China. In the present study, P. alburnus was firstly reported from the ovary of 6 other East Asian minnows, including Squaliobarbus curriculus, Hemiculter leucisculus, Cultrichthys erythropterus, Pseudolaubuca engraulis, Toxabramis swinhonis, and Elopichthys bambusa. Genetic analysis revealed high sequence diversity in the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) and the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (Rpb1) loci of P. alburnus isolated from different hosts and locations. The variation of Rpb1 mainly occurred in the 1,477–1737 bp regions. The presence of a wide variety of Rpb1 haplotypes within a single fish host, together with evidence of genetic recombination suggested that P. alburnus may have the intergenomic variation and sexual reproduction might be present in other hosts (possibly freshwater shrimp). Phylogenetic analysis and population genetic analysis showed that there was no geographical population divergence for P. alburnus. Homogeneity and high variability of ITS sequences indicates that ITS may be a suitable molecular marker to distinguish different P. alburnus isolates. Our data confirm the broad geographical distribution and host range of P. alburnus in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. Additionally, we emendated the genus Pseudokabatana to exclude the infection site, liver as one of the taxonomic criteria, and proposed that fish ovary was be the general infection site of P. alburnus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meiqi Weng
- Laboratory of Aquatic Parasitology and Microbial Resources, School of Marine Science and Engineering, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
- Key Laboratory of Aquaculture Diseases Control, Ministry of Agriculture and State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xintong Zhang
- Laboratory of Aquatic Parasitology and Microbial Resources, School of Marine Science and Engineering, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
| | - Zhaozhe Xin
- Laboratory of Aquatic Parasitology and Microbial Resources, School of Marine Science and Engineering, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
| | - Sijia Xue
- Laboratory of Aquatic Parasitology and Microbial Resources, School of Marine Science and Engineering, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
| | - Qianqian Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Aquaculture Diseases Control, Ministry of Agriculture and State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Aihua Li
- Key Laboratory of Aquaculture Diseases Control, Ministry of Agriculture and State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Jinyong Zhang
- Laboratory of Aquatic Parasitology and Microbial Resources, School of Marine Science and Engineering, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- *Correspondence: Jinyong Zhang,
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de Albuquerque NRM, Haag KL. Using average nucleotide identity (ANI) to evaluate microsporidia species boundaries based on their genetic relatedness. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2023; 70:e12944. [PMID: 36039868 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Microsporidia are obligatory intracellular parasites related to fungi and since their discovery their classification and origin has been controversial due to their unique morphology. Early taxonomic studies of microsporidia were based on ultrastructural spore features, characteristics of their life cycle and transmission modes. However, taxonomy and phylogeny based solely on these characteristics can be misleading. SSU rRNA is a traditional marker used in taxonomical classifications, but the power of SSU rRNA to resolve phylogenetic relationships between microsporidia is considered weak at the species level, as it may not show enough variation to distinguish closely related species. Overall genome relatedness indices (OGRI), such as average nucleotide identity (ANI), allows fast and easy-to-implement comparative measurements between genomes to assess species boundaries in prokaryotes, with a 95% cutoff value for grouping genomes of the same species. Due to the increasing availability of complete genomes, metrics of genome relatedness have been applied for eukaryotic microbes taxonomy such as microsporidia. However, the distribution of ANI values and cutoff values for species delimitation have not yet been fully tested in microsporidia. In this study we examined the distribution of ANI values for 65 publicly available microsporidian genomes and tested whether the 95% cutoff value is a good estimation for circumscribing species based on their genetic relatedness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalia R M de Albuquerque
- Department of Genetics and Post-Graduation Program of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Karen L Haag
- Department of Genetics and Post-Graduation Program of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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Weng M, Zhang X, Xin Z, Xue S, Zhang Q, Li A, Zhang J. Morphological characterization and genetic diversity of a new microsporidium, Neoflabelliforma dubium n. sp. from the adipose tissue of Diaphanosoma dubium (Crustacea: Sididae). Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1125394. [PMID: 36779184 PMCID: PMC9911548 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1125394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
We reported a new microsporidium Neoflabelliforma dubium n. sp. from the adipose tissue of Diaphanosoma dubium in China. The infected daphnids generally appeared opaque due to the presence of numerous spore aggregates located in the adipose tissue. All developmental stages were in direct contact with the host cell cytoplasm. Multinucleate sporogonial plasmodia developed into uninucleate sporoblasts by rosette-like fashion. Mature spores were pyriform and monokaryotic, measuring 4.02 ± 0.24 (3.63-4.53) µm long and 2.27 ± 0.15 (2.12-2.57) µm wide (N = 40). The polaroplast was bipartite with a tightly packed anterior lamellae and a loosely aligned posterior lamellae. Isofilar polar filament was coiled 9-11 turns and arranged in 2-3 rows. The phylogenetic analysis based on the obtained SSU rDNA sequence indicated that the N. dubium n. sp. clustered with the freshwater oligochaete-infecting N. aurantiae to form an independent monophyletic group, positioned at the base of Clade 4. In addition, we analyzed the genetic diversity in three N. dubium n. sp. isolates based on the rDNA (SSU rDNA, ITS and LSU rDNA) and Rpb1 gene. The genetic variation among the rDNA sequences was not distinct, however, high nucleotide diversity could be observed in Rpb1 gene, and a wide variety of Rpb1 haplotypes were identified within each isolate. Genetic recombination detected in the Rpb1 sequences presumes cryptic sexual process occurring in N. dubium n. sp. Statistical evolutionary analyses further indicated that the purifying selection eliminated mutations in the Rpb1 gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meiqi Weng
- The Laboratory of Aquatic Parasitology, School of Marine Science and Engineering, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
- Key Laboratory of Aquaculture Diseases Control, Ministry of Agriculture and State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xintong Zhang
- The Laboratory of Aquatic Parasitology, School of Marine Science and Engineering, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
| | - Zhaozhe Xin
- The Laboratory of Aquatic Parasitology, School of Marine Science and Engineering, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
| | - Sijia Xue
- The Laboratory of Aquatic Parasitology, School of Marine Science and Engineering, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
| | - Qianqian Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Aquaculture Diseases Control, Ministry of Agriculture and State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Aihua Li
- Key Laboratory of Aquaculture Diseases Control, Ministry of Agriculture and State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Jinyong Zhang
- The Laboratory of Aquatic Parasitology, School of Marine Science and Engineering, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao, Shandong, China
- *Correspondence: Jinyong Zhang,
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Ignatieva AN, Timofeev SA, Tokarev YS, Dolgikh VV. Laboratory Cultivation of Vairimorpha (Nosema) ceranae (Microsporidia: Nosematidae) in Artificially Infected Worker Bees. INSECTS 2022; 13:1092. [PMID: 36555002 PMCID: PMC9784591 DOI: 10.3390/insects13121092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Nosemosis type C is a dangerous and widespread disease of the adult European honey bee Apis mellifera and is caused by the spore-forming intracellular parasite Vairimorpha (Nosema) ceranae. The search for new ways of therapy for this disease is complicated due to the seasonal availability of V. ceranae-infected insects as well as the lack of a developed system for the pathogen's cultivation. By carrying out trials which used different infectious dosages of the parasite, spore storage protocols, host age, and incubation temperatures, we present a simple, safe, and efficient method of V. ceranae propagation in artificially infected worker bees in the laboratory. The method is based on feeding the groups of adult worker bees with microsporidian spores and insect maintenance in plastic bottles at 33 °C. The source of the spores originated from the cadavers of infected insects from the previous round of cultivation, in which the infective spores persist for up to six months. An analysis of five independent cultivation rounds involving more than 2500 bees showed that the proposed protocol exploiting the dosage of one million spores per bee yielded over 60 million V. ceranae spores per bee, and most of the spore samples can be isolated from living insects.
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Bahreini R, Nasr M, Docherty C, de Herdt O, Feindel D, Muirhead S. In Vivo Inhibitory Assessment of Potential Antifungal Agents on Nosema ceranae Proliferation in Honey Bees. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11111375. [PMID: 36422626 PMCID: PMC9695399 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11111375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Nosema ceranae Fries, 1996, causes contagious fungal nosemosis disease in managed honey bees, Apis mellifera L. It is associated around the world with winter losses and colony collapse disorder. We used a laboratory in vivo screening assay to test curcumin, fenbendazole, nitrofurazone and ornidazole against N. ceranae in honey bees to identify novel compounds with anti-nosemosis activity compared to the commercially available medication Fumagilin-B®. Over a 20-day period, Nosema-inoculated bees in Plexiglas cages were orally treated with subsequent dilutions of candidate compounds, or Fumagilin-B® at the recommended dose, with three replicates per treatment. Outcomes indicated that fenbendazole suppressed Nosema spore proliferation, resulting in lower spore abundance in live bees (0.36 ± 1.18 million spores per bee) and dead bees (0.03 ± 0.25 million spores per bee), in comparison to Fumagilin-B®-treated live bees (3.21 ± 2.19 million spores per bee) and dead bees (3.5 ± 0.6 million spores per bee). Our findings suggest that Fumagilin-B® at the recommended dose suppressed Nosema. However, it was also likely responsible for killing Nosema-infected bees (24% mortality). Bees treated with fenbendazole experienced a greater survival probability (71%), followed by ornidazole (69%), compared to Nosema-infected non-treated control bees (20%). This research revealed that among screened compounds, fenbendazole, along with ornidazole, has potential effective antifungal activities against N. ceranae in a controlled laboratory environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rassol Bahreini
- Plant and Bee Health Surveillance Section, Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation, Edmonton, AB T5Y 6H3, Canada
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E9, Canada
- Correspondence:
| | - Medhat Nasr
- Plant and Bee Health Surveillance Section, Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation, Edmonton, AB T5Y 6H3, Canada
- Saskatchewan Beekeepers Development Commission, Prince Albert, SK S6V 6Z2, Canada
| | - Cassandra Docherty
- Plant and Bee Health Surveillance Section, Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation, Edmonton, AB T5Y 6H3, Canada
| | - Olivia de Herdt
- Plant and Bee Health Surveillance Section, Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation, Edmonton, AB T5Y 6H3, Canada
| | - David Feindel
- Plant and Bee Health Surveillance Section, Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation, Edmonton, AB T5Y 6H3, Canada
| | - Samantha Muirhead
- Plant and Bee Health Surveillance Section, Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation, Edmonton, AB T5Y 6H3, Canada
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Microsporidian diversity in the aquatic isopod Asellus aquaticus. Parasitology 2022; 149:1729-1736. [PMID: 36117283 PMCID: PMC10090770 DOI: 10.1017/s003118202200124x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
We conducted a molecular survey on microsporidian diversity in different lineages (operational taxonomic units = OTUs) of Asellus aquaticus from 30 sites throughout Europe. Host body length was determined, and DNA was extracted from host tissue excluding the intestine and amplified by microsporidian-specific primers. In total, 247 A. aquaticus specimens were analysed from which 26.7% were PCR-positive for microsporidians, with significantly more infections in larger individuals. Prevalence ranged between 10 and 90%. At 9 sites, no microsporidians were detected. A significant relationship was found between the frequency of infected individuals and habitat type, as well as host OTU. The lowest proportion of infected individuals was detected in spring-habitats (8.7%, n = 46) and the highest in ponds (37.7%, n = 53). Proportion of infected individuals among host OTUs A, D and J was 31.7, 21.7 and 32.1%, respectively. No infections were detected in OTU F. Our results are, however, accompanied by a partially low sample size, as only a minimum of 5 individuals was available at a few locations. Overall, 17 different microsporidian molecular taxonomic units (MICMOTUs) were distinguished with 5 abundant isolates (found in 4–17 host individuals) while the remaining 12 MICMOTUs were “rare” and found only in 1–3 host individuals. No obvious spatio-genetic pattern could be observed. The MICMOTUs predominantly belonged to Nosematida and Enterocytozoonida. The present study shows that microsporidians in A. aquaticus are abundant and diverse but do not show obvious patterns related to host genetic lineages or geography.
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Wei X, Evans JD, Chen Y, Huang Q. Spillover and genome selection of the gut parasite Nosema ceranae between honey bee species. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:1026154. [PMID: 36304932 PMCID: PMC9592821 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.1026154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Nosema ceranae is a honey bee gut parasite that has recently spilled to another honey bee host through trading. The impact of infection on the native host is minor, which is substantial in the novel host. In this study, artificial inoculation simulated the parasite transmission from the native to the novel host. We found that the parasite initiated proliferation earlier in the novel host than in the native host. Additionally, parasite gene expression was significantly higher when infecting the novel host compared with the native host, leading to a significantly higher number of spores. Allele frequencies were similar for spores of parasites infecting both native and novel hosts. This suggests that the high number of spores found in the novel host was not caused by a subset of more fit spores from native hosts. Native hosts also showed a higher number of up-regulated genes in response to infection when compared with novel hosts. Our data further showed that native hosts suppressed parasite gene expression and arguably sacrificed cells to limit the parasite. The results provide novel insights into host defenses and gene selection during a parasite spillover event.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuxiu Wei
- Honeybee Research Institute, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, China
| | - Jay D. Evans
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, BARC-East Building 306, Beltsville, MD, United States
| | - Yanping Chen
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, BARC-East Building 306, Beltsville, MD, United States
| | - Qiang Huang
- Honeybee Research Institute, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, China
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
- *Correspondence: Qiang Huang,
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Bojko J. Systematic identity and phylogenetic analysis of Knowlespora clinchi (Knowles et al. 2022) gen. et comb. nov. From pheasantshell mussels (Actinonaiais pectorosa). J Invertebr Pathol 2022; 194:107817. [PMID: 35964677 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2022.107817] [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: 01/15/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
A microsporidian parasite infecting the pheasantshell mussel, Actinonaiais pectorosa, was discovered in a freshwater system in the USA. The original description of this species placed it into the holding genus "Microsporidium"; however, the availability of ecological, environmental, histological, electron microscopy, and genetic data, suffice to provide a complete formal taxonomic account of this species. In this note, the genus Knowlespora n. gen. is erected and described to hold the type species: Knowlespora clinchi gen. et comb. nov., originally described as 'Microsporidium clinchi'. A discussion is presented to suggest that this novel species is unlikely to be closely related to other molluscan microsporidians (all of which lack genetic data, to date) and highlights the diversity of oocyte-infecting species across the Microsporidia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie Bojko
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Teesside University, Middlesbrough TS1 3BA, UK; National Horizons Centre, Teesside University, Darlington DL1 1HG, UK.
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Martínez-López V, Ruiz C, De la Rúa P. “Migratory beekeeping and its influence on the prevalence and dispersal of pathogens to managed and wild bees”. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2022; 18:184-193. [PMID: 35663725 PMCID: PMC9160285 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2022.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Demand for food is growing along with the human population, leading to an increase in plant production. Many crops are pollinated by insects, so the global demand for managed pollinators is also increasing. The honey bee has traditionally been considered the main provider of crop pollination services. For providing it beekeepers seasonally transport hives to different locations after the flowering of different crops. These movements could be detrimental to pollinators by: i) stressing honey bees, making them more susceptible to pathogens and parasites; ii) spreading bee parasites and pathogens across locations; iii) increasing the transmission of parasites and pathogens between managed and wild pollinators and vice versa (spillover and spillback, respectively). To understand the impact of migratory beekeeping on bee health, we conducted a systematic review to identify the main trends and provide a complete picture of existing knowledge on the subject. We found 52 studies analysing pathogen-related impacts of migratory beekeeping on honey bees. However, only 16 investigations tested the effect of migratory practices on the prevalence and spread of pathogens and parasites. We found no studies that assessed the impact of migratory beekeeping on the occurrence and spread of pests and diseases in wild bees. In general, migratory beekeeping tends to increase the prevalence of pathogens and parasites in honey bee colonies. However, the results were very heterogeneous, probably due to several uncontrolled underlying factors such as management, biological and geographical factors, and the interactions between them. In conclusion, there is an urgent need for studies to assess the impact of migratory beekeeping on bee health, given the current global bee decline and the expected increase in migratory beekeeping due to climate change and crop pollination demand. Migratory beekeeping may affect the health of both managed and wild bees. Only 16 studies compare the prevalence of pathogens between migratory and stationary hives. Results are heterogeneous due to the complex interaction of the underlying factors. Overall, the prevalence of pathogens and parasites increased in migratory honey bees. The impact of migratory beekeeping on the health of wild bees is unknown.
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Bukhari T, Pevsner R, Herren JK. Microsporidia: a promising vector control tool for residual malaria transmission. FRONTIERS IN TROPICAL DISEASES 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2022.957109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS) have resulted in a major decrease in malaria transmission. However, it has become apparent that malaria can be effectively transmitted despite high coverage of LLINs/IRS. Residual transmission can occur due to Plasmodium-carrying Anopheles mosquitoes that are insecticide resistant and have feeding and resting behavior that reduces their chance of encountering the currently deployed indoor malaria control tools. Residual malaria transmission is likely to be the most significant hurdle to achieving the goal of malaria eradication and research and development towards new tools and strategies that can control residual malaria transmission is therefore critical. One of the most promising strategies involves biological agents that are part of the mosquito microbiome and influence the ability of Anopheles to transmit Plasmodium. These differ from biological agents previously used for vector control in that their primary effect is on vectoral capacity rather than the longevity and fitness of Anopheles (which may or may not be affected). An example of this type of biological agent is Microsporidia MB, which was identified in field collected Anopheles arabiensis and caused complete inhibition of Plasmodium falciparum transmission without effecting the longevity and fitness of the host. Microsporidia MB belongs to a unique group of rapidly adapting and evolving intracellular parasites and symbionts called microsporidia. In this review we discuss the general biology of microsporidians and the inherent characteristics that make some of them particularly suitable for malaria control. We then discuss the research priorities for developing a transmission blocking strategy for the currently leading microsporidian candidate Microsporidia MB for malaria control.
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Lopes AR, Martín-Hernández R, Higes M, Segura SK, Henriques D, Pinto MA. Colonisation Patterns of Nosema ceranae in the Azores Archipelago. Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9070320. [PMID: 35878337 PMCID: PMC9323992 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9070320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Nosema ceranae is a highly prevalent pathogen of Apis mellifera, which is distributed worldwide. However, there may still exist isolated areas that remain free of N. ceranae. Herein, we used molecular tools to survey the Azores to detect N. ceranae and unravel its colonisation patterns. To that end, we sampled 474 colonies from eight islands in 2014/2015 and 91 from four islands in 2020. The findings revealed that N. ceranae was not only present but also the dominant species in the Azores. In 2014/2015, N. apis was rare and N. ceranae prevalence varied between 2.7% in São Jorge and 50.7% in Pico. In 2020, N. ceranae prevalence increased significantly (p < 0.001) in Terceira and São Jorge also showing higher infection levels. The spatiotemporal patterns suggest that N. ceranae colonised the archipelago recently, and it rapidly spread across other islands, where at least two independent introductions might have occurred. Flores and Santa Maria have escaped the N. ceranae invasion, and it is remarkable that Santa Maria is also free of Varroa destructor, which makes it one of the last places in Europe where the honey bee remains naive to these two major biotic stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Rita Lopes
- Centro de Investigação de Montanha, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal; (A.R.L.); (D.H.)
| | - 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, 19180 Marchamalo, Spain; (R.M.-H.); (M.H.)
- 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
| | - 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, 19180 Marchamalo, Spain; (R.M.-H.); (M.H.)
| | - Sara Kafafi Segura
- Zoología y Antropología Física, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28014 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Dora Henriques
- Centro de Investigação de Montanha, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal; (A.R.L.); (D.H.)
| | - Maria Alice Pinto
- Centro de Investigação de Montanha, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal; (A.R.L.); (D.H.)
- Correspondence:
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Microsporidia: a new taxonomic, evolutionary, and ecological synthesis. Trends Parasitol 2022; 38:642-659. [PMID: 35667993 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2022.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Microsporidian diversity is vast. There is a renewed drive to understand how microsporidian pathological, genomic, and ecological traits relate to their phylogeny. We comprehensively sample and phylogenetically analyse 125 microsporidian genera for which sequence data are available. Comparing these results with existing phylogenomic analyses, we suggest an updated taxonomic framework to replace the inconsistent clade numbering system, using informal taxonomic names: Glugeida (previously clades 5/3), Nosematida (4a), Enterocytozoonida (4b), Amblyosporida (3/5), Neopereziida (1), and Ovavesiculida (2). Cellular, parasitological, and ecological traits for 281 well-defined species are compared with identify clade-specific patterns across long-branch Microsporidia. We suggest that future taxonomic circumscriptions of Microsporidia should involve additional markers (SSU/ITS/LSU), and that a comprehensive suite of phenotypic and ecological traits help to predict broad microsporidian functional and lineage diversity.
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Paromomycin Reduces Vairimorpha (Nosema) ceranae Infection in Honey Bees but Perturbs Microbiome Levels and Midgut Cell Function. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10061107. [PMID: 35744625 PMCID: PMC9231153 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10061107] [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: 04/16/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Paromomycin is a naturally occurring aminoglycoside antibiotic that has effects on both prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbes. However, previous reports have indicated that it has little effect on microsporidia, including Vairimorpha (Nosema) ceranae, in cell culture models. V. ceranae is one of a number of microsporidia species that cause disease in honey bees and substantial efforts to find new treatment strategies for bees that are infected with these pathogens are ongoing. When testing compounds for potential activity against V. ceranae in whole organisms, we found that paromomycin reduces the infection intensity of this parasite. Critically, the necessary doses of paromomycin have high activity against the bacteria of the honey bee microbiome and cause evident stress in bees. Microsporidia have been shown to lack an essential binding site on the ribosome that is known to allow for maximal inhibition by paromomycin. Thus, it is possible that paromomycin impacts parasite levels through non-cell autonomous effects on microsporidia infection levels via effects on the microbiome or midgut cellular function. As paromomycin treatment could cause widespread honey bee health issues in agricultural settings, it does not represent an appropriate anti-microsporidia agent for use in the field.
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Protists in the Insect Rearing Industry: Benign Passengers or Potential Risk? INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13050482. [PMID: 35621816 PMCID: PMC9144225 DOI: 10.3390/insects13050482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Simple Summary As human populations grow and the climate crisis deepens, humans will need to look to alternative sustainable sources of protein. The insect rearing industry is now rapidly growing to generate more sustainable sources of food and feed, and, as it does so, there will be an urgent need to better understand the role that microorganisms play in both maintaining insect health and generating disease. Protists are microbes that are neither viral, bacterial nor fungal and, therefore, are sometimes overlooked when considering microbial fauna. In this paper, we review the literature on protists that have been uncovered within insects that are being considered for rearing as food and feed. We discuss what is known about how they interact with hosts, how they may affect industrially reared insects in the future and which tools now need to be developed to better study them. Abstract As the insects for food and feed industry grows, a new understanding of the industrially reared insect microbiome is needed to better comprehend the role that it plays in both maintaining insect health and generating disease. While many microbiome projects focus on bacteria, fungi or viruses, protists (including microsporidia) can also make up an important part of these assemblages. Past experiences with intensive invertebrate rearing indicate that these parasites, whilst often benign, can rapidly sweep through populations, causing extensive damage. Here, we review the diversity of microsporidia and protist species that are found in reared insect hosts and describe the current understanding of their host spectra, life cycles and the nature of their interactions with hosts. Major entomopathogenic parasite groups with the potential to infect insects currently being reared for food and feed include the Amoebozoa, Apicomplexa, Ciliates, Chlorophyta, Euglenozoa, Ichtyosporea and Microsporidia. However, key gaps exist in the understanding of how many of these entomopathogens affect host biology. In addition, for many of them, there are very limited or even no molecular data, preventing the implementation of molecular detection methods. There is now a pressing need to develop and use novel molecular tools, coupled with standard molecular diagnostic methods, to help unlock their biology and predict the effects of these poorly studied protist parasites in intensive insect rearing systems.
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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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