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Lee JK. Development of Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent and Immunochromatography Assays for Diagnosing Nosema ceranae Infection in Honey Bees. Insects 2024; 15:59. [PMID: 38249065 PMCID: PMC10816434 DOI: 10.3390/insects15010059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Nosema ceranae (N. ceranae) infection is prevalent globally, causing a decline in bee populations and significant economic losses to apiarists. Although several methods have been proposed for diagnosing Nosema infections, limitations in these methods have hindered their broad applications. Therefore, this current study aimed to develop a specialized method for diagnosing Nosema infections. To achieve this, a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunochromatography assay (ICG) were developed, and their effectiveness in screening and diagnosing Nosema infection was assessed. In sandwich ELISA, the combination of the monoclonal antibodies (mAb) 19B2 and biotinylated-19B2 exhibited stronger binding affinity to the antigen than did other combinations of mAbs that were tested. Furthermore, the antigen detection limit achieved with the sandwich ELISA surpassed that previously reported with Western blotting. The ICG was designed using the same antibody combination as that used in sandwich ELISA; however, the assay exhibited a lower diagnostic ability for Nosema infection than the ELISA. The diagnostic models developed in this study offer practical applications for conducting rapid nosemosis detection tests. These innovative techniques will help to improve the timely identification and management of nosemosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae Kwon Lee
- Department of Biology Education, College of Education, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea
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Kim DJ, Woo RM, Kim KS, Woo SD. Screening of Entomopathogenic Fungal Culture Extracts with Honeybee Nosemosis Inhibitory Activity. Insects 2023; 14:538. [PMID: 37367354 DOI: 10.3390/insects14060538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to select the most effective culture extracts for controlling honeybee nosemosis using 342 entomopathogenic fungi of 24 species from 18 genera. The germination inhibitory activity of the fungal culture extract on Nosema ceranae spores was evaluated using an in vitro germination assay method. Among 89 fungal culture extracts showing germination inhibitory activity of approximately 80% or more, 44 fungal culture extracts that maintained their inhibitory activity even at a concentration of 1% were selected. Finally, the honeybee nosemosis inhibitory activity was evaluated using the cultured extracts of five fungal isolates having a Nosema inhibitory activity of approximately 60% or more, even when the extract was removed after treatment. As a result, the proliferation of Nosema spores was reduced by all fungal culture extract treatments. However, only the treatment of the culture extracts from Paecilomyces marquandii 364 and Pochonia bulbillosa 60 showed a reduction in honeybee mortality due to nosemosis. In particular, the extracts of these two fungal isolates also increased the survival of honeybees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Jun Kim
- Department of Agricultural Biology, College of Agriculture, Life & Environment Science, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea
- Process Development Team, R&D Division, Plolagen Co., Ltd., Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Ra-Mi Woo
- Department of Agricultural Biology, College of Agriculture, Life & Environment Science, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyu-Seek Kim
- Department of Agricultural Biology, College of Agriculture, Life & Environment Science, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo-Dong Woo
- Department of Agricultural Biology, College of Agriculture, Life & Environment Science, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea
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Pent K, Naudi S, Raimets R, Jürison M, Liiskmann E, Karise R. Overlapping exposure effects of pathogen and dimethoate on honeybee ( Apis mellifera Linnaeus) metabolic rate and longevity. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1198070. [PMID: 37346484 PMCID: PMC10279948 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1198070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Declines in honeybee abundance have been observed worldwide during last decades. This is partly due to plant protection agents used in intensive farming, landscaping and infrastructure maintenance. Another type of factors negatively affecting honeybees is the spread of diseases caused by different pathogens and pests. Lately, more focus has been paid to the interactions between different overlapping stressors affecting honeybee health, the combination of these often being more detrimental compared to individual stressors. The most widely used stress-evaluating methods take into account lethal- or motorial changes of the individuals or colonies. Comparatively little honeybee research has examined changes in initial recovery potential and physiological symptoms of toxification. The aim of this study was to examine the combined effect of Nosema apis and N. ceranae (according to a newer classification Vairimorpha apis and V. ceranae), the common causes of nosemosis in the honeybee Apis mellifera L., with the insecticide dimethoate. Methods: In this study, honeybee mortality and metabolic rate were used to assess the combined effects interactions of Nosema ssp. and dimethoate. Results: Our results showed that exposure to the low concentration of either dimethoate, either one or both species of Nosema ssp as single factors or in the combination had no significant effect on honeybee metabolic rate. The mortality increased with the two Nosema spp., as well as with infection by N. ceranae alone. The effect of dimethoate was observed only in combination with N. apis infection, which alone had no effect on individual honeybee mortality. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the overlapping exposure to a non-lethal concentration of a pesticide and a pathogen can be hidden by stronger stressor but become observable with milder stressors.
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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El-Seedi HR, El-Wahed AAA, Naggar YA, Saeed A, Xiao J, Ullah H, Musharraf SG, Boskabady MH, Cao W, Guo Z, Daglia M, El Wakil A, Wang K, Khalifa SAM. Insights into the Role of Natural Products in the Control of the Honey Bee Gut Parasite ( Nosema spp.). Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:3062. [PMID: 36359186 PMCID: PMC9656094 DOI: 10.3390/ani12213062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The honey bee is an important economic insect due to its role in pollinating many agricultural plants. Unfortunately, bees are susceptible to many pathogens, including pests, parasites, bacteria, and viruses, most of which exert a destructive impact on thousands of colonies. The occurrence of resistance to the therapeutic substances used against these organisms is rising, and the residue from these chemicals may accumulate in honey bee products, subsequently affecting the human health. There is current advice to avoid the use of antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, and other drugs in bees, and therefore, it is necessary to develop alternative strategies for the treatment of bee diseases. In this context, the impact of nosema diseases (nosemosis) on bee health and the negative insults of existing drugs are discussed. Moreover, attempts to combat nosema through the use of alternative compounds, including essential oils, plant extracts, and microbes in vitro and in vivo, are documented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hesham R. El-Seedi
- International Research Center for Food Nutrition and Safety, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
- Pharmacognosy Group, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Biomedical Centre, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 591, SE-751 24 Uppsala, Sweden
- International Joint Research Laboratory of Intelligent Agriculture and Agri-Products Processing (Jiangsu University), Jiangsu Education Department, Nanjing 210024, China
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Menoufia University, Shebin El-Koom 32512, Egypt
| | - Aida A. Abd El-Wahed
- Department of Bee Research, Plant Protection Research Institute, Agricultural Research Centre, Giza 12627, Egypt
| | - Yahya Al Naggar
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt
| | - Aamer Saeed
- Department of Chemistry, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan
| | - Jianbo Xiao
- Department of Analytical Chemistry and Food Science, University of Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain
| | - Hammad Ullah
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Napoli Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Syed G. Musharraf
- H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi 75270, Pakistan
| | - Mohammad H. Boskabady
- Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad 13131-99137, Iran
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad 13131-99137, Iran
| | - Wei Cao
- College of Food Science and Technology, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
- Bee Product Research Center of Shaanxi Province, Xi’an 710065, China
| | - Zhiming Guo
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Maria Daglia
- International Research Center for Food Nutrition and Safety, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Napoli Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Abeer El Wakil
- Department of Biological and Geological Sciences, Faculty of Education, Alexandria University, Alexandria 215260, Egypt
| | - Kai Wang
- Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100093, China
| | - Shaden A. M. Khalifa
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
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Paleolog J, Kuszewska K, Woyciechowski M, Strachecka A. Reproductive Potential Impacts Body Maintenance Parameters and Global DNA Methylation in Honeybee Workers ( Apis mellifera L.). Insects 2021; 12:1021. [PMID: 34821822 DOI: 10.3390/insects12111021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary The queens and sterile workers arise from genetically identical eggs but as imagoes, they differ in their life span, DNA methylation, and their functions. In the absence of the queen, the larvae develop into rebels, i.e., workers with increased reproductive potential. We assumed that since rebels are similar to the queen in many anatomical and behavioral features, they live longer and have lower levels of global DNA methylation, even when infected, e.g., by Nosema spp. Rebels always lived longer in comparison in normal workers and unexpectedly extended longevity of normal workers when they were together, similarly as the presence of a queen did. Rebels became infected more easily but tolerated the infection better. They also had lower level of global DNA methylation than normal workers. These features expand possibilities of the use of honeybees as a model for studies on senescence, nosemosis, eusocial evolution, and epigenetics. Abstract The widely accepted hypothesis in life history evolution about the trade-off between fecundity and longevity is not confirmed by long-living and highly fecund queens in eusocial insects. The fact that the queens and facultatively sterile workers usually arise from genetically identical eggs but differ in DNA methylation makes them a good model for studies on senescence, eusocial evolution, and epigenetics. Therefore, honeybees seem to be especially useful here because of long living rebel-workers (RW) with high reproductive potential recently described. Longevity, ovariole number, nosema tolerance, and global DNA methylation have been assayed in normal workers (NW) versus RW in hives and cages. RW always lived longer than NW and unexpectedly extended longevity of NW when they were together, similarly as the presence of a queen did. RW lived longer despite the fact that they had higher Nosema spore load; surprisingly they became infected more easily but tolerated the infection better. Global DNA methylation increased with age, being lower in RW than in NW. Therefore, RW are queen-like considering global DNA methylation and the link between fecundity, longevity, and body maintenance. Presented features of RW expands possibilities of the use of honeybees as a model for studies on senescence, nosemosis, eusocial evolution, and epigenetics.
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Ugolini L, Cilia G, Pagnotta E, Malaguti L, Capano V, Guerra I, Zavatta L, Albertazzi S, Matteo R, Lazzeri L, Righetti L, Nanetti A. Glucosinolate Bioactivation by Apis mellifera Workers and Its Impact on Nosema ceranae Infection at the Colony Level. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11111657. [PMID: 34827655 PMCID: PMC8615805 DOI: 10.3390/biom11111657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The microsporidian fungus Nosema ceranae represents one of the primary bee infection threats worldwide and the antibiotic fumagillin is the only registered product for nosemosis disease control, while few alternatives are, at present, available. Natural bioactive compounds deriving from the glucosinolate–myrosinase system (GSL–MYR) in Brassicaceae plants, mainly isothiocyanates (ITCs), are known for their antimicrobial activity against numerous pathogens and for their health-protective effects in humans. This work explored the use of Brassica nigra and Eruca sativa defatted seed meal (DSM) GSL-containing diets against natural Nosema infection in Apis mellifera colonies. DSM patties from each plant species were obtained by adding DSMs to sugar candy at the concentration of 4% (w/w). The feeding was administered in May to mildly N. ceranae-infected honey bee colonies for four weeks at the dose of 250 g/week. In the treated groups, no significant effects on colony development and bee mortality were observed compared to the negative controls. The N. ceranae abundance showed a slight but significant decrease. Furthermore, the GSL metabolism in bees was investigated, and MYR hydrolytic activity was qualitatively searched in isolated bee midgut and hindgut. Interestingly, MYR activity was detected both in the bees fed DSMs and in the control group where the bees did not receive DSMs. In parallel, ITCs were found in gut tissues from the bees treated with DSMs, corroborating the presence of a MYR-like enzyme capable of hydrolyzing ingested GSLs. On the other hand, GSLs and other GSL hydrolysis products other than ITCs, such as nitriles, were found in honey produced by the treated bees, potentially increasing the health value of the final product for human consumption. The results are indicative of a specific effect on the N. ceranae infection in managed honey bee colonies depending on the GSL activation within the target organ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Ugolini
- Research Centre for Cereal and Industrial Crops (CREA-CI), Council for Agricultural Research and Agricultural Economics Analysis, Via di Corticella 133, 40128 Bologna, Italy; (L.U.); (L.M.); (R.M.); (L.L.); (L.R.)
| | - Giovanni Cilia
- Research Centre for Agriculture and Environment (CREA-AA), Council for Agricultural Research and Agricultural Economics Analysis, Via di Saliceto 80, 40128 Bologna, Italy; (G.C.); (V.C.); (I.G.); (L.Z.); (S.A.); (A.N.)
| | - Eleonora Pagnotta
- Research Centre for Cereal and Industrial Crops (CREA-CI), Council for Agricultural Research and Agricultural Economics Analysis, Via di Corticella 133, 40128 Bologna, Italy; (L.U.); (L.M.); (R.M.); (L.L.); (L.R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-051-6316811
| | - Lorena Malaguti
- Research Centre for Cereal and Industrial Crops (CREA-CI), Council for Agricultural Research and Agricultural Economics Analysis, Via di Corticella 133, 40128 Bologna, Italy; (L.U.); (L.M.); (R.M.); (L.L.); (L.R.)
| | - Vittorio Capano
- Research Centre for Agriculture and Environment (CREA-AA), Council for Agricultural Research and Agricultural Economics Analysis, Via di Saliceto 80, 40128 Bologna, Italy; (G.C.); (V.C.); (I.G.); (L.Z.); (S.A.); (A.N.)
| | - Irene Guerra
- Research Centre for Agriculture and Environment (CREA-AA), Council for Agricultural Research and Agricultural Economics Analysis, Via di Saliceto 80, 40128 Bologna, Italy; (G.C.); (V.C.); (I.G.); (L.Z.); (S.A.); (A.N.)
| | - Laura Zavatta
- Research Centre for Agriculture and Environment (CREA-AA), Council for Agricultural Research and Agricultural Economics Analysis, Via di Saliceto 80, 40128 Bologna, Italy; (G.C.); (V.C.); (I.G.); (L.Z.); (S.A.); (A.N.)
| | - Sergio Albertazzi
- Research Centre for Agriculture and Environment (CREA-AA), Council for Agricultural Research and Agricultural Economics Analysis, Via di Saliceto 80, 40128 Bologna, Italy; (G.C.); (V.C.); (I.G.); (L.Z.); (S.A.); (A.N.)
| | - Roberto Matteo
- Research Centre for Cereal and Industrial Crops (CREA-CI), Council for Agricultural Research and Agricultural Economics Analysis, Via di Corticella 133, 40128 Bologna, Italy; (L.U.); (L.M.); (R.M.); (L.L.); (L.R.)
| | - Luca Lazzeri
- Research Centre for Cereal and Industrial Crops (CREA-CI), Council for Agricultural Research and Agricultural Economics Analysis, Via di Corticella 133, 40128 Bologna, Italy; (L.U.); (L.M.); (R.M.); (L.L.); (L.R.)
| | - Laura Righetti
- Research Centre for Cereal and Industrial Crops (CREA-CI), Council for Agricultural Research and Agricultural Economics Analysis, Via di Corticella 133, 40128 Bologna, Italy; (L.U.); (L.M.); (R.M.); (L.L.); (L.R.)
| | - Antonio Nanetti
- Research Centre for Agriculture and Environment (CREA-AA), Council for Agricultural Research and Agricultural Economics Analysis, Via di Saliceto 80, 40128 Bologna, Italy; (G.C.); (V.C.); (I.G.); (L.Z.); (S.A.); (A.N.)
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Braglia C, Alberoni D, Porrini MP, Garrido PM, Baffoni L, Di Gioia D. Screening of Dietary Ingredients against the Honey Bee Parasite Nosema ceranae. Pathogens 2021; 10:1117. [PMID: 34578150 PMCID: PMC8466614 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10091117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Nosema ceranae is a major pathogen in the beekeeping sector, responsible for nosemosis. This disease is hard to manage since its symptomatology is masked until a strong collapse of the colony population occurs. Conversely, no medicaments are available in the market to counteract nosemosis, and only a few feed additives, with claimed antifungal action, are available. New solutions are strongly required, especially based on natural methods alternative to veterinary drugs that might develop resistance or strongly pollute honey bees and the environment. This study aims at investigating the nosemosis antiparasitic potential of some plant extracts, microbial fermentation products, organic acids, food chain waste products, bacteriocins, and fungi. Honey bees were singularly infected with 5 × 104 freshly prepared N. ceranae spores, reared in cages and fed ad libitum with sugar syrup solution containing the active ingredient. N. ceranae in the gut of honey bees was estimated using qPCR. The results showed that some of the ingredients administered, such as acetic acid at high concentration, p-coumaric acid, and Saccharomyces sp. strain KIA1, were effective in the control of nosemosis. On the other hand, wine acetic acid strongly increased the N. ceranae amount. This study investigates the possibility of using compounds such as organic acids or biological agents including those at the base of the circular economy, i.e., wine waste production, in order to improve honeybee health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Braglia
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DISTAL), University of Bologna, Viale Fanin 44, 40127 Bologna, Italy; (C.B.); (L.B.); (D.D.G.)
| | - Daniele Alberoni
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DISTAL), University of Bologna, Viale Fanin 44, 40127 Bologna, Italy; (C.B.); (L.B.); (D.D.G.)
| | - Martin Pablo Porrini
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción Sanidad y Ambiente (IIPROSAM), Centro Científico Tecnológico Mar del Plata-CONICET-UNMdP-CIC-PBA, Funes 3350, Mar del Plata Zc 7600, Argentina; (M.P.P.); (P.M.G.)
- Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales (CIAS), FCEyN, UNMdP, Funes 3350, Mar del Plata Zc 7600, Argentina
| | - Paula Melisa Garrido
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción Sanidad y Ambiente (IIPROSAM), Centro Científico Tecnológico Mar del Plata-CONICET-UNMdP-CIC-PBA, Funes 3350, Mar del Plata Zc 7600, Argentina; (M.P.P.); (P.M.G.)
- Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales (CIAS), FCEyN, UNMdP, Funes 3350, Mar del Plata Zc 7600, Argentina
| | - Loredana Baffoni
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DISTAL), University of Bologna, Viale Fanin 44, 40127 Bologna, Italy; (C.B.); (L.B.); (D.D.G.)
| | - Diana Di Gioia
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DISTAL), University of Bologna, Viale Fanin 44, 40127 Bologna, Italy; (C.B.); (L.B.); (D.D.G.)
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Porrini MP, Garrido PM, Umpiérrez ML, Porrini LP, Cuniolo A, Davyt B, González A, Eguaras MJ, Rossini C. Effects of Synthetic Acaricides and Nosema ceranae (Microsporidia: Nosematidae) on Molecules Associated with Chemical Communication and Recognition in Honey Bees. Vet Sci 2020; 7:E199. [PMID: 33302502 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci7040199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Acaricides and the gut parasite Nosema ceranae are commonly present in most productive hives. Those stressors could be affecting key semiochemicals, which act as homeostasis regulators in Apis mellifera colonies, such as cuticular hydrocarbons (CHC) involved in social recognition and ethyl oleate (EO) which plays a role as primer pheromone in honey bees. Here we test the effect of amitraz, coumaphos, tau-fluvalinate and flumethrin, commonly applied to treat varroosis, on honey bee survival time, rate of food consumption, CHC profiles and EO production on N. ceranae-infected and non-infected honey bees. Different sublethal concentrations of amitraz, coumaphos, tau-fluvalinate and flumethrin were administered chronically in a syrup-based diet. After treatment, purified hole-body extracts were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. While N. ceranae infection was also shown to decrease EO production affecting survival rates, acaricides showed no significant effect on this pheromone. As for the CHC, we found no changes in relation to the health status or consumption of acaricides. This absence of alteration in EO or CHC as response to acaricides ingestion or in combination with N. ceranae, suggests that worker honey bees exposed to those highly ubiquitous drugs are hardly differentiated by nest-mates. Having determined a synergic effect on mortality in worker bees exposed to coumaphos and Nosema infection but also, alterations in EO production as a response to N. ceranae infection it is an interesting clue to deeper understand the effects of parasite-host-pesticide interaction on colony functioning.
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Dittes J, Aupperle-Lellbach H, Schäfer MO, Mülling CKW, Emmerich IU. Veterinary Diagnostic Approach of Common Virus Diseases in Adult Honeybees. Vet Sci 2020; 7:vetsci7040159. [PMID: 33096775 PMCID: PMC7711501 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci7040159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2020] [Revised: 10/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Veterinarians are educated in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases in various vertebrate species. As they are familiar with multifactorial health problems in single animals as well as in herd health management, their knowledge and skills can be beneficial for the beekeepers and honeybee health. However, in education and in practice, honeybees are not a common species for most veterinarians and the typical veterinary diagnostic methods such as blood sampling or auscultation are not applicable to the superorganism honeybee. Honeybee colonies may be affected by various biotic and abiotic factors. Among the infectious agents, RNA-viruses build the largest group, causing covert and overt infections in honeybee colonies which may lead to colony losses. Veterinarians could and should play a more substantial role in managing honeybee health—not limited to cases of notifiable diseases and official hygiene controls. This review discusses the veterinary diagnostic approach to adult bee examination with a special focus on diagnosis and differential diagnosis of the common virus diseases Acute Bee Paralysis Virus (ABPV)-Kashmir Bee Virus (KBV)-Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus (IAPV)-Complex, Chronic Bee Paralysis Virus (CBPV) and Deformed Wing Virus (DWV), as well as coinfections like Varroa spp. and Nosema spp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Dittes
- Centre for Applied Training and Learning, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, An den Tierkliniken 19, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, An den Tierkliniken 43, 04103 Leipzig, Germany;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-341-973-8247
| | - Heike Aupperle-Lellbach
- LABOKLIN GmbH & CO.KG, Labor für klinische Diagnostik, Steubenstraße 4, 97688 Bad Kissingen, Germany;
| | - Marc O. Schäfer
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany;
| | - Christoph K. W. Mülling
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, An den Tierkliniken 43, 04103 Leipzig, Germany;
| | - Ilka U. Emmerich
- VETIDATA, Institute of Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, An den Tierkliniken 39, 04103 Leipzig, Germany;
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Dittes J, Schäfer MO, Aupperle-Lellbach H, Mülling CKW, Emmerich IU. Overt Infection with Chronic Bee Paralysis Virus (CBPV) in Two Honey Bee Colonies. Vet Sci 2020; 7:vetsci7030142. [PMID: 32972032 PMCID: PMC7559786 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci7030142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic Bee Paralysis Virus (CBPV), a widespread honey bee RNA virus, causes massive worker bee losses, mostly in strong colonies. Two different syndromes, with paralysis, ataxia and flight incapacity on one hand and black hairless individuals with shortened abdomens on the other, can affect a colony simultaneously. This case report presents two Apis mellifera carnica colonies with symptoms of paralysis and hairless black syndrome in 2019. Via RT-PCR, a highly positive result for CBPV was detected in both samples. Further problems, such as a Nosema infection and Varroa infestation, were present in these colonies. Therapy methods were applied to colony 1 comprising queen replacement, shook swarm method and Varroa control, whereas colony 2 was asphyxiated after queen loss and colony weakening. After therapy, colony 1 was wintered without symptoms. Beekeeping and sanitary measures can save a CBPV-infected colony, while further complications result in total colony loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Dittes
- Centre for Applied Training and Learning, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, An den Tierkliniken 19, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, An den Tierkliniken 43, 04103 Leipzig, Germany;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-341-973-8247
| | - Marc O. Schäfer
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany;
| | - Heike Aupperle-Lellbach
- LABOKLIN GmbH & CO.KG, Labor für klinische Diagnostik, Steubenstraße 4, 97688 Bad Kissingen, Germany;
| | - Christoph K. W. Mülling
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, An den Tierkliniken 43, 04103 Leipzig, Germany;
| | - Ilka U. Emmerich
- VETIDATA, Institute of Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, An den Tierkliniken 39, 04103 Leipzig, Germany;
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Tlak Gajger I, Vlainić J, Šoštarić P, Prešern J, Bubnič J, Smodiš Škerl MI. Effects on Some Therapeutical, Biochemical, and Immunological Parameters of Honey Bee ( Apis mellifera) Exposed to Probiotic Treatments, in Field and Laboratory Conditions. Insects 2020; 11:insects11090638. [PMID: 32957451 PMCID: PMC7563132 DOI: 10.3390/insects11090638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Various negative factors contribute to a decline in insect pollinators. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of commercial probiotic EM® PROBIOTIC FOR BEES on honey bees. The study was conducted in field and laboratory-controlled conditions. In the field, the sugar syrup with 10% of probiotic was administered by spraying or feeding the honey bee colonies in order to evaluate the colonies’ strength and Nosema spp. infection levels. In the laboratory, the adult workers have been fed with sugar syrup supplemented with 2.5, 5, and 10% of EM® for bees for biochemical and immunological analyses of hemolymph, and with 5 and 10% for measuring the size of hypopharyngeal glands. It was found that following the EM® for bees administration the Nosema spp. spore counts in colonies were significantly reduced, and colonies’ strength was increased. The results at the individual level showed positive physiological changes in treated groups of adult bees, but, at the same time, a higher mortality rate. Our findings indicate that the EM® for bees is a promising food additive for nosemosis combating. Therefore, additional emphasis needs to be placed on studies investigating the nutritional requirements crucial to improve and sustain honey bee colonies health. Abstract Several negative factors contribute to a decline in the number of insect pollinators. As a novel approach in therapy, we hypothesize that the EM® for bees could potentially have an important therapeutic and immunomodulatory effect on honey bee colonies. The aim of our study was to evaluate its impact on honey bees at the individual and colony level. This is the first appliance of the commercial probiotic mix EM® PROBIOTIC FOR BEES in honey bees as economically important social insects. The sugar syrup with 10% of probiotic was administered by spraying or feeding the honey bee colonies in the field conditions, in order to evaluate the infection levels with spores of Nosema spp. and colonies’ strength. Moreover, in laboratory-controlled conditions, in the hoarding cages, adult workers have been fed with sugar syrup supplemented with 2.5, 5, and 10% of EM® for bees for biochemical and immunological analyses of hemolymph, and with 5 and 10% for measuring the size of hypopharyngeal glands. It was found that following the EM® for bees administration the Nosema spp. spore counts in colonies were significantly reduced, and colonies’ strength was increased. The results at the individual level showed significant positive physiological changes in treated groups of adult bees, revealing at the same time a higher mortality rate when feeding sugar syrup supplemented with the probiotic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Tlak Gajger
- Department for Biology and Pathology of Fish and Bees, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +385-91-2390-041
| | - Josipa Vlainić
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Laboratory for Advanced Genomics, Institute Ruđer Bošković, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Petra Šoštarić
- Department for Biology and Pathology of Fish and Bees, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Janez Prešern
- Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (J.P.); (J.B.); (M.I.S.Š.)
| | - Jernej Bubnič
- Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (J.P.); (J.B.); (M.I.S.Š.)
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13
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Burnham AJ, De Jong E, Jones JA, Lehman HK. North American Propolis Extracts From Upstate New York Decrease Nosema ceranae ( Microsporidia) Spore Levels in Honey Bees ( Apis mellifera). Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1719. [PMID: 32793168 PMCID: PMC7387503 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Nosema ceranae infections in honey bees (Apis mellifera) pose a severe threat to colony health. Beekeepers have used dicyclohexylammonium fumagillin to control Nosema apis, although it may be ineffective against N. ceranae. We investigated the ability of various propolis extracts collected from Upstate New York (United States) to decrease in vivo N. ceranae infection levels when fed ad libitum to N. ceranae-infected honey bees. Propolis extracts, most notably a dichloromethane extract, significantly lowered spore levels in a dose-dependent fashion 4 days post inoculation. When testing the in vitro anti-Nosema activity of propolis extracts, we report for the first time that spore viability was unaffected after a 24 h exposure to propolis extracts. These results present evidence that propolis extracts may effectively lower Microsporidia infections in honey bees, and that direct exposure of environmental spores to propolis alone does not kill N. ceranae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andre J Burnham
- Department of Biology, Hamilton College, Clinton, NY, United States.,Program in Biochemistry, Hamilton College, Clinton, NY, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Emily De Jong
- Department of Biology, Hamilton College, Clinton, NY, United States.,Program in Biochemistry, Hamilton College, Clinton, NY, United States
| | - Jayre A Jones
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Herman K Lehman
- Department of Biology, Hamilton College, Clinton, NY, United States.,Program in Biochemistry, Hamilton College, Clinton, NY, United States.,Program in Neuroscience, Hamilton College, Clinton, NY, United States
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14
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Mura A, Pusceddu M, Theodorou P, Angioni A, Floris I, Paxton RJ, Satta A. Propolis Consumption Reduces Nosema ceranae Infection of European Honey Bees ( Apis mellifera). Insects 2020; 11:insects11020124. [PMID: 32075232 PMCID: PMC7074184 DOI: 10.3390/insects11020124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Nosema ceranae is a widespread obligate intracellular parasite of the ventriculus of many species of honey bee (Apis), including the Western honey bee Apis mellifera, in which it may lead to colony death. It can be controlled in A. mellifera by feeding the antibiotic fumagillin to a colony, though this product is toxic to humans and its use has now been banned in many countries, so in beekeeping, there exists a need for alternative and safe products effective against N. ceranae. Honeybees produce propolis from resinous substances collected from plants and use it to protect their nest from parasites and pathogens; propolis is thought to decrease the microbial load of the hive. We hypothesized that propolis might also reduce N. ceranae infection of individual bees and that they might consume propolis as a form of self-medication. To test these hypotheses, we evaluated the effects of an ethanolic extract of propolis administered orally on the longevity and spore load of experimentally N. ceranae-infected worker bees and also tested whether infected bees were more attracted to, and consumed a greater proportion of, a diet containing propolis in comparison to uninfected bees. Propolis extracts and ethanol (solvent control) increased the lifespan of N. ceranae-infected bees, but only propolis extract significantly reduced spore load. Our propolis extract primarily contained derivatives of caffeic acid, ferulic acid, ellagic acid and quercetin. Choice, scan sampling and food consumption tests did not reveal any preference of N. ceranae-infected bees for commercial candy containing propolis. Our research supports the hypothesis that propolis represents an effective and safe product to control N. ceranae but worker bees seem not to use it to self-medicate when infected with this pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Mura
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.M.); (M.P.); (I.F.)
| | - Michelina Pusceddu
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.M.); (M.P.); (I.F.)
| | - Panagiotis Theodorou
- General Zoology, Institute of Biology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Hoher Weg 8, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany; (P.T.); (R.J.P.)
| | - Alberto Angioni
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy;
| | - Ignazio Floris
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.M.); (M.P.); (I.F.)
| | - Robert J. Paxton
- General Zoology, Institute of Biology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Hoher Weg 8, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany; (P.T.); (R.J.P.)
| | - Alberto Satta
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.M.); (M.P.); (I.F.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-079229364; Fax: +39-079229329
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15
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Szawarski N, Saez A, Domínguez E, Dickson R, De Matteis Á, Eciolaza C, Justel M, Aliano A, Solar P, Bergara I, Pons C, Bolognesi A, Carna G, Garcia W, Garcia O, Eguaras M, Lamattina L, Maggi M, Negri P. Effect of Abscisic Acid (ABA) Combined with Two Different Beekeeping Nutritional Strategies to Confront Overwintering: Studies on Honey Bees' Population Dynamics and Nosemosis. Insects 2019; 10:insects10100329. [PMID: 31581467 PMCID: PMC6835648 DOI: 10.3390/insects10100329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Revised: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
In temperate climates, beekeeping operations suffer colony losses and colony depopulation of Apis mellifera during overwintering, which are associated with biotic and abiotic stressors that impact bees’ health. In this work, we evaluate the impacts of abscisic acid (ABA) dietary supplementation on honey bee colonies kept in Langstroth hives. The effects of ABA were evaluated in combination with two different beekeeping nutritional strategies to confront overwintering: “honey management” and “syrup management”. Specifically, we evaluated strength parameters of honey bee colonies (adult bee and brood population) and the population dynamics of Nosema (prevalence and intensity) associated with both nutritional systems and ABA supplementation during the whole study (late autumn-winter-early spring). The entire experiment was designed and performed with a local group of beekeepers, “Azahares del sudeste”, who showed interest in answering problems associated with the management of honey bee colonies during the winter. The results indicated that the ABA supplementation had positive effects on the population dynamics of the A. mellifera colonies during overwintering and on the nosemosis at colony level (prevalence) in both nutritional strategies evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolás Szawarski
- Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales (CIAS) (IIPROSAM-CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP), Funes 3350, Mar del Plata CP 7600, Argentina.
| | - Agustín Saez
- INIBIOMA, Universidad Nacional del Comahue, (CONICET), Quintral 1250, Bariloche 8400, Argentina
| | - Enzo Domínguez
- Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales (CIAS) (IIPROSAM-CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP), Funes 3350, Mar del Plata CP 7600, Argentina
| | - Rachel Dickson
- Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, PO Box 519, Crested Butte, CO 81224, USA
| | - Ángela De Matteis
- Beekeeper from Azahares del Sudeste association, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Mar del Plata CP 7600, Argentina
| | - Carlos Eciolaza
- Beekeeper from Azahares del Sudeste association, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Mar del Plata CP 7600, Argentina
| | - Marcelino Justel
- Beekeeper from Azahares del Sudeste association, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Mar del Plata CP 7600, Argentina
| | - Alfredo Aliano
- Beekeeper from Azahares del Sudeste association, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Mar del Plata CP 7600, Argentina
| | - Pedro Solar
- Beekeeper from Azahares del Sudeste association, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Mar del Plata CP 7600, Argentina
| | - Ignacio Bergara
- Beekeeper from Azahares del Sudeste association, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Mar del Plata CP 7600, Argentina
| | - Claudia Pons
- Beekeeper from Azahares del Sudeste association, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Mar del Plata CP 7600, Argentina
| | - Aldo Bolognesi
- Beekeeper from Azahares del Sudeste association, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Mar del Plata CP 7600, Argentina
| | - Gabriel Carna
- Beekeeper from Azahares del Sudeste association, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Mar del Plata CP 7600, Argentina
| | - Walter Garcia
- Beekeeper from Azahares del Sudeste association, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Mar del Plata CP 7600, Argentina
| | - Omar Garcia
- Beekeeper from Azahares del Sudeste association, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Mar del Plata CP 7600, Argentina
| | - Martin Eguaras
- Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales (CIAS) (IIPROSAM-CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP), Funes 3350, Mar del Plata CP 7600, Argentina
| | - Lorenzo Lamattina
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas (IIB-CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP), Funes 3350, Mar del Plata CP 7600, Argentina
| | - Matías Maggi
- Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales (CIAS) (IIPROSAM-CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP), Funes 3350, Mar del Plata CP 7600, Argentina
| | - Pedro Negri
- Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales (CIAS) (IIPROSAM-CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP), Funes 3350, Mar del Plata CP 7600, Argentina
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16
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Burnham AJ. Scientific Advances in Controlling Nosema ceranae ( Microsporidia) Infections in Honey Bees ( Apis mellifera). Front Vet Sci 2019; 6:79. [PMID: 30931319 PMCID: PMC6428737 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Honey bees (Apis mellifera) are agriculturally important pollinators that have been recently at risk to severe colony losses. A variety of parasites and pathogens have been linked to colony decline, including the microsporidian parasite Nosema ceranae. While fumagillin has been used to control nosemosis in managed honey bee colonies for decades, research shows that this antibiotic poses a toxic threat and that its efficacy against N. ceranae is uncertain. There is certainly a demand for a new veterinary medication to treat honey bee colonies infected with N. ceranae. In this review, recent scientific advances in controlling N. ceranae infections in honey bees are summarized.
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17
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Arredondo D, Castelli L, Porrini MP, Garrido PM, Eguaras MJ, Zunino P, Antúnez K. Lactobacillus kunkeei strains decreased the infection by honey bee pathogens Paenibacillus larvae and Nosema ceranae. Benef Microbes 2017; 9:279-290. [PMID: 29264966 DOI: 10.3920/bm2017.0075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Due to their social behaviour, honey bees can be infected by a wide range of pathogens including the microsporidia Nosema ceranae and the bacteria Paenibacillus larvae. The use of probiotics as food additives for the control or prevention of infectious diseases is a widely used approach to improve human and animal health. In this work, we generated a mixture of four Lactobacillus kunkeei strains isolated from the gut microbial community of bees, and evaluated its potential beneficial effect on larvae and adult bees. Its administration in controlled laboratory models was safe for larvae and bees; it did not affect the expression of immune-related genes and it was able to decrease the mortality associated to P. larvae infection in larvae and the counts of N. ceranae spores from adult honey bees. These promising results suggest that this beneficial microorganism's mixture may be an attractive strategy to improve bee health. Field studies are being carried out to evaluate its effect in naturally infected colonies.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Arredondo
- 1 Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Avda. Italia 3318, CP 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - L Castelli
- 1 Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Avda. Italia 3318, CP 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - M P Porrini
- 2 Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales, Departamento de Biología, CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Funes 3350, Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - P M Garrido
- 2 Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales, Departamento de Biología, CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Funes 3350, Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - M J Eguaras
- 2 Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales, Departamento de Biología, CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Funes 3350, Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - P Zunino
- 1 Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Avda. Italia 3318, CP 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - K Antúnez
- 1 Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Avda. Italia 3318, CP 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
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18
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Mendoza Y, Diaz-Cetti S, Ramallo G, Santos E, Porrini M, Invernizzi C. Nosema ceranae Winter Control: Study of the Effectiveness of Different Fumagillin Treatments and Consequences on the Strength of Honey Bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Colonies. J Econ Entomol 2017; 110:1-5. [PMID: 28025388 DOI: 10.1093/jee/tow228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
OVERVIEW In Uruguay, colonies of honey bees moving to Eucalyptus grandis plantation in autumn habitually become infected with the microsporidian Nosema ceranae , a parasite that attacks the digestive system of bees. Beekeepers attributed to N. ceranae depopulation of the colonies that often occurs at the end of the blooming period, and many use the antibiotic fumagillin to reduce the level of infection. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of four different fumagillin treatments and determine how this antibiotic affects the strength of the colonies during the winter season. The colonies treated with fumagillin in July showed less spore load at the end of applications, being the most effective the following treatments: the four applications sprayed over bees of 30 mg of fumagillin in 100 ml of sugar syrup 1:1, and four applications of 90 mg of fumagillin in 250 ml of sugar syrup 1:1 using a feeder. However, 2 month after the treatment applications, the colonies treated with fumagillin were the same size as the untreated colonies. In September, the colonies treated and not treated with fumagillin did not differ in colony strength (adult bee population and brood area) or spores abundance. Our study demonstrates that fumagillin treatment temporarily decreased the spore load of N. ceranae , but this was not reflected in either the size of the colonies or the probability of surviving the winter regardless of the dose or the administration strategy applied. Given the results obtained, we suggest to not perform the pharmacological treatment under the conditions described in the experiment. RESUMEN En Uruguay las colonias de abejas melíferas que se trasladan a las forestaciones de Eucalyptus grandis en otoño indefectiblemente se infectan con el microsporido Nosema ceranae , parásito que ataca el sistema digestivo de las abejas. Los apicultores atribuyen a N. ceranae el despoblamiento de las colonias que ocurre con frecuencia al terminar el periodo de floración y muchos emplean el antibiótico fumagilina para reducir el nivel de infección. El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar la eficacia de cuatro tratamientos diferentes con fumagilina y determinar cómo incide en la fortaleza de las colonias durante la invernada. Las colonias tratadas con fumagilina en julio presentaron una menor carga de esporas al terminar las aplicaciones, siendo los tratamientos más eficaces el de 4 aplicaciones mediante asperjado sobre las abejas de 30 mg de fumagilina en 100 ml de jarabe de azúcar 1:1, y el de 4 aplicaciones de 90 mg de fumagilina en 250 ml de jarabe de azúcar 1:1 utilizando un alimentador. Sin embargo, durante el período de experimentación, las colonias tratadas con antibiótico presentaron igual tamaño que las colonias no tratadas. En setiembre, las colonias tratadas y no tratadas con fumagilina no se diferenciaron en la intensidad de infección ni en su tamaño. En las condiciones en que se realizó el estudio, la aplicación de fumagilina disminuyó temporalmente la carga de esporas de N. ceranae pero esto no se reflejó en el tamaño de las colonias ni en la probabilidad de sobrevivir el invierno.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Mendoza
- Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria, Apicultura, Uruguay
| | - S Diaz-Cetti
- Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria, Apicultura, Uruguay
| | - G Ramallo
- Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria, Apicultura, Uruguay
| | - E Santos
- Sección Etología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Uruguay
| | - M Porrini
- Departamento de Biología, Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales, CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - C Invernizzi
- Sección Etología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Uruguay
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Csáki T, Heltai M, Markolt F, Kovács B, Békési L, Ladányi M, Péntek-Zakar E, Meana A, Botías C, Martín-Hernández R, Higes M. Permanent prevalence of Nosema ceranae in honey bees (Apis mellifera) in Hungary. Acta Vet Hung 2015; 63:358-69. [PMID: 26551426 DOI: 10.1556/004.2015.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Nosema ceranae is present in honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies worldwide. Studies on the comparative virulence of N. ceranae and N. apis showed significant differences in individual mortality, and the prevalence of N. ceranae seems to be predominant in both the continental and the Mediterranean climate regions. This study attempted to monitor the geographical and seasonal distribution of these two Nosema species in Hungary, using a simple laboratory method. The distribution of N. ceranae and N. apis infection rates along all seasons was homogeneous (P = 0.57). In co-infected samples, the intensity of N. ceranae infection was always significantly higher than that of N. apis infection (P < 0.001). The infection rate of infected bees in exterior samples was higher than in interior samples in each season; however, the differences were not statistically significant. The species N. ceranae had been present in Hungary already in 2004. Statistical analysis of data shows that the infection level is best represented by sampling exterior bees to establish the proportion of infected bees rather than by determining the mean spore count.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamás Csáki
- 1Institute for Wildlife Conservation, Szent István University, Páter K. u. 1, H-2013 Gödöllő, Hungary
| | - Miklós Heltai
- 1Institute for Wildlife Conservation, Szent István University, Páter K. u. 1, H-2013 Gödöllő, Hungary
| | - Ferenc Markolt
- 1Institute for Wildlife Conservation, Szent István University, Páter K. u. 1, H-2013 Gödöllő, Hungary
| | - Balázs Kovács
- 2Regional University Center of Excellence in Environmental IndustrySzent István University, Gödöllő, Hungary
| | - László Békési
- 3Research Centre for Farm Animal Gene Conservation, Institute for Apiculture, Gödöllő, Hungary
| | - Márta Ladányi
- 4 Corvinus University of Budapest, Budapest, Hungary
| | | | - Aránzazu Meana
- 6Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Botías
- 7Bee Pathology Laboratory, Centro Apícola Regional, Consejería de Agricultura, Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, Marchamalo, Spain
| | - Raquel Martín-Hernández
- 7Bee Pathology Laboratory, Centro Apícola Regional, Consejería de Agricultura, Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, Marchamalo, Spain
| | - Mariano Higes
- 7Bee Pathology Laboratory, Centro Apícola Regional, Consejería de Agricultura, Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, Marchamalo, Spain
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