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Shamaev ND, Shuralev EA, Mukminov MN. Current status of Nosema spp. infection cases in apis mellifera in eurasian countries and Ptp3 gene haplotypes in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia. Vet Res Commun 2024; 48:2691-2698. [PMID: 38644458 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-024-10383-3] [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: 02/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
The current status of Nosema spp. infections in A. mellifera throughout Eurasia was characterized using electronic databases. Although N. ceranae was predominantly detected in southwestern and south-central regions and N. apis in northwestern and north-central areas, most studies reported the occurrence of both species in Eurasia. In addition, the occurrence of Nosema spp. and Ptp3 gene haplotypes was investigated in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia. Most of the examined honey bees were infected with both N. apis and N. ceranae. N. apis and N. ceranae isolates were either heterozygous or belonged to different strains and showed infection with more than one strain. New haplotypes were found for N. apis and N. ceranae in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia. This study expands the data regarding existing haplotypes of Nosema species: there are currently 9 shared and 56 unique Ptp3 nucleotide sequence haplotypes of N. ceranae, and 2 shared and 7 unique haplotypes of N. apis, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolai D Shamaev
- Central Research Laboratory, Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education (Kazan State Medical Academy Branch), Republic of Tatarstan, 36 Butlerova St, Kazan, 420012, Russia.
- Department of Applied Ecology, Institute of Environmental Sciences, Kazan Federal University, Republic of Tatarstan, 18 Kremlyovskaya St, Kazan, 420008, Russia.
- Kazan State Medical University, Republic of Tatarstan, 49 Butlerova St, Kazan, 420012, Russia.
| | - Eduard A Shuralev
- Central Research Laboratory, Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education (Kazan State Medical Academy Branch), Republic of Tatarstan, 36 Butlerova St, Kazan, 420012, Russia
- Department of Applied Ecology, Institute of Environmental Sciences, Kazan Federal University, Republic of Tatarstan, 18 Kremlyovskaya St, Kazan, 420008, Russia
- Kazan State Academy of Veterinary Medicine named after N.E. Bauman, Republic of Tatarstan, 35 Sibirskiy tract St, 420029, Kazan, Russia
| | - Malik N Mukminov
- Central Research Laboratory, Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education (Kazan State Medical Academy Branch), Republic of Tatarstan, 36 Butlerova St, Kazan, 420012, Russia
- Department of Applied Ecology, Institute of Environmental Sciences, Kazan Federal University, Republic of Tatarstan, 18 Kremlyovskaya St, Kazan, 420008, Russia
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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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MacInnis CI, Luong LT, Pernal SF. A tale of two parasites: Responses of honey bees infected with Nosema ceranae and Lotmaria passim. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22515. [PMID: 38110440 PMCID: PMC10728187 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49189-9] [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: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Nosema ceranae and Lotmaria passim are two commonly encountered digestive tract parasites of the honey bee that have been associated with colony losses in Canada, the United States, and Europe. Though honey bees can be co-infected with these parasites, we still lack basic information regarding how they impact bee health at the individual and colony level. Using locally-isolated parasite strains, we investigated the effect of single and co-infections of these parasites on individual honey bee survival, and their responsiveness to sucrose. Results showed that a single N. ceranae infection is more virulent than both single L. passim infections and co-infections. Honey bees singly infected with N. ceranae reached < 50% survival eight days earlier than those inoculated with L. passim alone, and four days earlier than those inoculated with both parasites. Honey bees infected with either one, or both, parasites had increased responsiveness to sucrose compared to uninfected bees, which could correspond to higher levels of hunger and increased energetic stress. Together, these findings suggest that N. ceranae and L. passim pose threats to bee health, and that the beekeeping industry should monitor for both parasites in an effort correlate pathogen status with changes in colony-level productivity and survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney I MacInnis
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E9, Canada.
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Beaverlodge Research Farm, P.O. Box 29, Beaverlodge, AB, T0H 0C0, Canada.
| | - Lien T Luong
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E9, 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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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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Kandel M, Paxton RJ, Al Naggar Y. Nationwide Screening for Bee Viruses in Apis mellifera Colonies in Egypt. INSECTS 2023; 14:172. [PMID: 36835740 PMCID: PMC9964814 DOI: 10.3390/insects14020172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Honey bees are essential for crop and wild plant pollination. However, many countries have reported high annual colony losses caused by multiple possible stressors. Diseases, particularly those caused by viruses, are a major cause of colony losses. However, little is known about the prevalence of honey bee pathogens, particularly virus prevalence, in Egyptian honey bees. To address this shortfall, we determined the prevalence of widespread bee viruses in honey bee colonies in Egypt-whether it is affected by geography, the season, or infestation with Varroa destructor (varroa) mites. Honey bee worker samples were collected from 18 geographical regions across Egypt during two seasons: winter and summer of 2021. Three apiaries were chosen in each region, and a pooled sample of 150 worker bees was collected from five colonies in each apiary then screened by qPCR for 10 viral targets: acute bee paralysis virus (ABPV), black queen cell virus (BQCV), chronic bee paralysis virus (CBPV), deformed wing virus (DWV) genotypes A (DWV-A), B (DWV-B) and D (Egyptian bee virus), Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV), Kashmir bee virus (KBV), sacbrood virus (SBV), and slow bee paralysis virus (SBPV). Our results revealed that DWV-A was the most prevalent virus, followed by BQCV and ABPV; the DWV genotype now spreading across the world, DWV-B, was not detected. There was no difference in varroa infestation rates as well as virus prevalence between winter and summer. However, colonies infected with BQCV had a significantly higher varroa count (adjusted p < 0.05) in the winter season, indicating that there is a seasonal association between the intensity of infestation by varroa and the presence of this virus. We provide data on the current virus prevalence in Egypt, which could assist in the protection of Egypt's beekeeping industry. Moreover, our study aids in the systematic assessment of the global honey bee virome by filling a knowledge gap about the prevalence of honey bee viruses in Egypt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Kandel
- Plant Protection and Molecular Diagnosis, Arid Lands Cultivation Research Institute, City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications (SRTA-City), Alexandria 21934, Egypt
| | - Robert J. Paxton
- General Zoology, Institute for Biology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Hoher Weg 8, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Yahya Al Naggar
- General Zoology, Institute for Biology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Hoher Weg 8, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt
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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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