Mathematical Modeling and Analysis of Nosema Disease ( Microsporidia Nosema Spp.) Infections in Adult Honey Bees ( Apis Mellifera)

The histochemical activity of aminopeptidase and non-specific esterase, both important enzymes of intermediate metabolism in the mid gut of honeybees (Apis mellifera), was investigated. Nosema disease control poses a major challenge, and thus, the treatment of this serious parasitic disease using natural phyto-pharmacological preparations could be of great besnefit. Additionally, the effects of residues and their by-products in honey and wax represent an environmental concern and are another reason for reducing the use of conventional chemical control methods in beekeeping. Nozevit is a naturally prepared water solution of plant polyphenols, and is distributed throughout the market as “the partner for Nosema disease repression”. Samples of the midgut tissue were used for the description of enzymatic activity of infected honey bees before treatment and 1, 2, 3, 5, 8 and 12 days after a one-time treatment with Nozevit. The possible effects of Nozevit treatment on the activity of the investigated enzymes and digestion are discussed.  

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Prevalence and distribution of Nosema ceranae in Croatian honeybee colonies

Veterinární Medicína ◽

10.17221/2983-vetmed ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 55 (No. 9) ◽

pp. 457-462 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

I. Tlak Gajger ◽

O. Vugrek ◽

D. Grilec ◽

Z. Petrinec

Keyword(s):

Apis Mellifera ◽

Honey Bee ◽

Microscopic Examination ◽

Honey Bees ◽

Nosema Ceranae ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Microsporidian Parasite ◽

Nosema Species ◽

Nosema Disease ◽

Bee Colonies

Nosema disease of European honey bees afflicts bees worldwide. Nosema ceranae is a recently described microsporidian parasite of the honey bee (Apis mellifera) and its geographical distribution is not well known. The disease may have many negative effects on bee colonies and cause high losses for apiculture and consequently in agriculture. With this in mind, a total of 204 samples of dead bees from different localities in Croatia were selected and investigated for distribution, prevalence and diversity of N. ceranae infection, using light microscopic examination and multiplex PCR. Our results show that N. ceranae is the only nosema species found to infect honeybees in our geographically varied collection. The nucleotide sequences of amplicons from Nosema-infested honeybee samples were 100% identical with the N. ceranae sequence deposited in the GenBank database. N. ceranae infected bees were found in samples collected from each of 21 districts, and in all three climatic areas, i.e., mediterranean, mountain, and continental parts regions of Croatia.

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Transferrin-mediated iron sequestration suggests a novel therapeutic strategy for controlling Nosema disease in the honey bee, Apis mellifera

PLoS Pathogens ◽

10.1371/journal.ppat.1009270 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 17 (2) ◽

pp. e1009270

Author(s):

Cristina Rodríguez-García ◽

Matthew C. Heerman ◽

Steven C. Cook ◽

Jay D. Evans ◽

Gloria DeGrandi-Hoffman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Apis Mellifera ◽

Honey Bee ◽

Honey Bees ◽

Iron Homeostasis ◽

Growth And Survival ◽

Functional Roles ◽

Iron Sequestration ◽

Essential Nutrient ◽

Nosema Disease ◽

The Impact

Nosemosis C, a Nosema disease caused by microsporidia parasite Nosema ceranae, is a significant disease burden of the European honey bee Apis mellifera which is one of the most economically important insect pollinators. Nevertheless, there is no effective treatment currently available for Nosema disease and the disease mechanisms underlying the pathological effects of N. ceranae infection in honey bees are poorly understood. Iron is an essential nutrient for growth and survival of hosts and pathogens alike. The iron tug-of-war between host and pathogen is a central battlefield at the host-pathogen interface which determines the outcome of an infection, however, has not been explored in honey bees. To fill the gap, we conducted a study to investigate the impact of N. ceranae infection on iron homeostasis in honey bees. The expression of transferrin, an iron binding and transporting protein that is one of the key players of iron homeostasis, in response to N. ceranae infection was analysed. Furthermore, the functional roles of transferrin in iron homeostasis and honey bee host immunity were characterized using an RNA interference (RNAi)-based method. The results showed that N. ceranae infection causes iron deficiency and upregulation of the A. mellifera transferrin (AmTsf) mRNA in honey bees, implying that higher expression of AmTsf allows N. ceranae to scavenge more iron from the host for its proliferation and survival. The suppressed expression levels of AmTsf via RNAi could lead to reduced N. ceranae transcription activity, alleviated iron loss, enhanced immunity, and improved survival of the infected bees. The intriguing multifunctionality of transferrin illustrated in this study is a significant contribution to the existing body of literature concerning iron homeostasis in insects. The uncovered functional role of transferrin on iron homeostasis, pathogen growth and honey bee’s ability to mount immune responses may hold the key for the development of novel strategies to treat or prevent diseases in honey bees.

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RNA Interference-Mediated Knockdown of Genes Encoding Spore Wall Proteins Confers Protection against Nosema ceranae Infection in the European Honey Bee, Apis mellifera

Microorganisms ◽

10.3390/microorganisms9030505 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 505

Author(s):

Nan He ◽

Yi Zhang ◽

Xin Le Duan ◽

Jiang Hong Li ◽

Wei-Fone Huang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Apis Mellifera ◽

Rna Interference ◽

Honey Bee ◽

Honey Bees ◽

Therapeutic Potential ◽

Spore Wall ◽

Nosema Ceranae ◽

Host Responses ◽

Colony Losses ◽

Nosema Disease

Nosema ceranae (Opisthosporidia: Microsporidia) is an emergent intracellular parasite of the European honey bee (Apis mellifera) and causes serious Nosema disease which has been associated with worldwide honey bee colony losses. The only registered treatment for Nosema disease is fumagillin-b, and this has raised concerns about resistance and off-target effects. Fumagillin-B is banned from use in honey bee colonies in many countries, particularly in Europe. As a result, there is an urgent need for new and effective therapeutic options to treat Nosema disease in honey bees. An RNA interference (RNAi)-based approach can be a potent strategy for controlling diseases in honey bees. We explored the therapeutic potential of silencing the sequences of two N. ceranae encoded spore wall protein (SWP) genes by means of the RNAi-based methodology. Our study revealed that the oral ingestion of dsRNAs corresponding to SWP8 and SWP12 used separately or in combination could lead to a significant reduction in spore load, improve immunity, and extend the lifespan of N. ceranae-infected bees. The results from the work completed here enhance our understanding of honey bee host responses to microsporidia infection and highlight that RNAi-based therapeutics are a promising treatment for honey bee diseases.

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Nosema ceranae (Microspora: Nosematidae): A Sweet Surprise? Investigating the Viability and Infectivity of N. ceranae Spores Maintained in Honey and on Beeswax

Journal of Economic Entomology ◽

10.1093/jee/toaa170 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 113 (5) ◽

pp. 2069-2078

Author(s):

Courtney I MacInnis ◽

B Andrew Keddie ◽

Stephen F Pernal

Keyword(s):

Apis Mellifera ◽

Honey Bee ◽

Honey Bees ◽

Nosema Apis ◽

Current Management ◽

Modes Of Transmission ◽

Management Recommendations ◽

Nosema Disease ◽

Bee Colonies ◽

Over Time

Abstract Nosema disease is a prominent malady among adult honey bees [Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae)], caused by the microsporidian parasites, Nosema apis Zander (Microspora: Nosematidae) and N. ceranae Fries et al. 1996. The biology of N. apis is well understood, as this parasite was first described over a century ago. As N. ceranae is an emerging parasite of the honey bee, we do not yet understand how long spores of this parasite survive in honey bee colonies, or all the potential modes of transmission among bees. We investigated the viability and infectivity of N. ceranae spores in honey and on beeswax over time after exposure to 33, 20, −12, and −20°C. Spores in honey maintained viability at freezing temperatures for up to 1 yr and remained viable considerably longer than those on beeswax. Based on this evidence, honey may act as an important reservoir for infective spores to initiate or perpetuate N. ceranae infections in honey bee colonies. This work provides information that may help enhance current management recommendations for apiculturalists.

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