Beneficial bacteria as biocontrol agents for American foulbrood disease in honey bees (Apis mellifera)

Abstract

American foulbrood (AFB) is a cosmopolitan bacterial disease that affects honey bee (Apis mellifera) larvae and causes great economic losses in apiculture. Currently, no satisfactory methods are available for AFB treatment mainly due to the difficulties to eradicate the tenacious spores produced by the etiological agent of AFB, Paenibacillus larvae (Bacillales, Paenibacillaceae). This present review focused on the beneficial bacteria that displayed antagonistic activities against P. larvae and demonstrated potential in AFB control. Emphases were placed on commensal bacteria (genus Bacillus and lactic acid bacteria in particular) in the alimentary tract of honey bees. The probiotic roles lactic acid bacteria play in combating the pathogenic P. larvae and the limitations referring to the application of these beneficial bacteria were addressed.

Probing the interaction of Paenibacillus larvae bacteriophage as a biological agent to control the american foulbrood disease in honeybee

“…The mid-gut epithelial cells subsequently lost their columnar structure and became more deformed, while the peritrophic membrane remained intact in many regions, and the fat bodies were destroyed. Furthermore, the mid-gut epithelial cells exhibited the presence of dispersed vacuoles, the basement membrane became apparent, and certain areas of the epithelium cells were obliterated ( Kok et al, 2023 , Ye et al, 2023 ).…”

Evaluation of Functional Properties of Some Lactic Acid Bacteria Strains for Probiotic Applications in Apiculture

“…Probiotics have been shown to improve gut microbiota balance, enhance bees’ resistance to nosemosis, and reduce mortality rates [ 24 , 25 ]. Additionally, probiotics have shown promise in mitigating the effects of American Foulbrood and European Foulbrood, both caused by pathogenic bacteria [ 26 , 27 , 28 ], improving brood survival and colony strength [ 29 , 30 ]. Apilactobacillus has been found to enhance the immune system of bees by significantly increasing the synthesis of vitellogenin in their fat bodies.…”

Overview of Probiotic Strains of Weizmannia coagulans, Previously Known as Bacillus coagulans, as Food Supplements and Their Use in Human Health

“…On the other hand, some spore-forming bacteria are commensals. Some are important soil bacteria, plant and animal commensals that fix nitrogen, produce protective volatile organic compounds, and are used in bioremediation, such as Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus thuringiensis, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus velezensis, and Bacillus pumilus [15][16][17][18][19][20][21]. The thermophilic Geobacillus stearothermophilus (previously Bacillus stearothermophilus) is commonly used as a biological indicator of sterilization [22,23].…”