Evaluating the Efficacy of Common Treatments Used for Vairimorpha (Nosema) spp. Control

Prouty, Cody; Jack, Cameron; Sagili, Ramesh

doi:10.3390/app13031303

Cited by 9 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…The clinical significance of heavy infection (25–50 million spores per bee) of ~20% of the colonies in the untreated group is unclear and should be investigated, but they could potentially be a source of infection for the adjacent colonies [ 35 ]. Contrary to our study, Prouty et al [ 54 ] reported higher spore loads in spring in fumagillin-treated colonies than in controls. The authors discussed fumagillin causing an imbalance in the gut microbiome and hence diminishing honey bee resilience towards Vairimorpha infections, increasing pathogen prevalence over time in treated colonies [ 54 , 55 ].…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

“…Contrary to our study, Prouty et al [ 54 ] reported higher spore loads in spring in fumagillin-treated colonies than in controls. The authors discussed fumagillin causing an imbalance in the gut microbiome and hence diminishing honey bee resilience towards Vairimorpha infections, increasing pathogen prevalence over time in treated colonies [ 54 , 55 ].…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

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Fall Treatment with Fumagillin Contributes to an Overwinter Shift in Vairimorpha Species Prevalence in Honey Bee Colonies in Western Canada

Biganski,

Obshta,

Kozii

et al. 2024

Life

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(1) Background: Microsporidiosis (nosemosis) is an intestinal disorder of adult honey bees caused by the microsporidian pathogens Vairimorpha apis and Vairimorpha ceranae. In Canada, fumagillin is an approved antibiotic used to treat this disease. However, the recommended dosage is based on efficacy studies for V. apis, the native pathogen in European honey bees. Since the detection of V. ceranae in Apis mellifera, V. ceranae became more prevalent in managed European honey bees and seems to have replaced V. apis due to yet unknown reasons. (2) Methods: This colony study investigated the efficacy of fumagillin administered in the fall to colonies infected with both V. apis and V. ceranae and its effects on the Vairimorpha species’ prevalence overwinter. Spore loads in control and fumagillin-treated colonies were analysed by microscopy; Vairimorpha species prevalence was determined molecularly and infection and treatment effects on colony productivity were assessed. (3) Results: Fall fumagillin treatment was associated with a temporary reduction in spore load, but there was no difference in spore loads between treated and control colonies the following spring. Interestingly, fumagillin-treated colonies had a significantly greater prevalence of V. ceranae relative to V. apis the following spring, suggesting fumagillin is less effective in controlling V. ceranae.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

Fall Treatment with Fumagillin Contributes to an Overwinter Shift in Vairimorpha Species Prevalence in Honey Bee Colonies in Western Canada

Biganski,

Obshta,

Kozii

et al. 2024

Life

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“…Significant attention is paid to the application of Good Beekeeping Practices as a form of prevention (Formato et al 2022). However, while these methods yield some results, they still prove insufficient (Huang et al 2013, Holt and Grozinger 2016, Garrido et al 2023, Lang et al 2023, Prouty et al 2023). There is a pressing need for further research on N. ceranae , especially in the context of its effective control strategies that consider the microbiological safety of the hive products (i.e.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nosemosis negatively affects honeybee survival: experimental and meta-analytic evidence

Ostap-Chec,

Cait,

Scott

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Nosemosis, caused by microsporidian parasites of the genus Nosema, is considered a significant health concern for insect pollinators, including the most economically significant, the honeybee (Apis mellifera L.). Despite its acknowledged importance, the impact of this disease on honeybee survivorship remains unclear. In this study, we used a standard laboratory cage trial to compare mortality rates between healthy honeybees and those infected with Nosema. We also conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of existing literature to explore how nosemosis contributes to increased mortality in honeybees tested in such widely used standard trials. Our review and meta-analysis included 50 studies that reported relevant experiments involving healthy and Nosema-infected individuals. We excluded studies that failed to report survivorship curves or information on potential moderators affecting the impact of nosemosis, such as spore inoculation dose, the age of the inoculated honeybees, or factors that may impact energy expenditure. Both our experimental results and meta-analysis revealed a consistent, robust effect of infection, indicating a threefold increase in mortality among the infected group of honeybee workers (hazard ratio for infected individuals = 3.16 [1.97, 5.07] and 2.99 [2.36, 3.79] in the experiment and meta-analysis, respectively). However, the meta-analysis also indicated high heterogeneity in the effect magnitude, which was not explained by our moderators. Furthermore, there was a serious risk of bias within studies and potential publication bias across studies. Our findings underscore knowledge gaps in the existing literature. We stress that laboratory cage trials should be viewed as an initial step in evaluating the impact of Nosema infection on mortality. Complementary field and apiary studies are imperative in search of effective treatment measures to preserve honeybee populations.

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“…These findings suggest an alternative way to control N. ceranae in honey bees using propolis collected from A. mellifera hives and extracted with suitable concentrations (50 and 75%) of propolis. This is especially important given the relative inefficacy of various controls available to treat N. ceranae infection in honey bees [70]. Admittedly, more work is needed before this treatment recommendation can be made.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Optimal Concentrations of Ethanolic-Extracted Propolis for a Reduction of <em>Nosema ceranae</em> Infection in Western Honey Bees, <em>Apis mellifera</em>

Naree,

Ellis,

Suwannapong

2024

Preprint

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Ethanolic extracts of propolis collected from Apis mellifera hives have been shown to reduce Nosema ceranae infection in honey bee workers. This study aimed to determine the propolis concentration that optimizes the control of N. ceranae infection in honey bee workers. Newly emerged worker bees were individually fed 2 μL of 50% sucrose solution (w/v) containing 105 N. ceranae spores per bee, and treated with 0%, 25%, 50%, and 75% ethanolic extracted propolis in 50% sucrose solution (v/v). The treated bees were maintained in cages at 34 ± 2˚C and 55 ± 5% RH throughout the study. The number of dead bees was counted and removed from the cages daily for 30 days to generate survival curves. The number of N. ceranae spores per bee (infectivity) was quantified using a hemocytometer, and the number of infected bees per hundred bees (infection rate) was determined. The survival rates of N. ceranae infected bees fed 25%, 50%, and 75% propolis (NP1, NP2, NP3, respectively) were significantly higher than those of infected bees not fed propolis (NO). Furthermore, the infectivity and infection rates of NP2 and NP3 groups were significantly lower than those of the NO group. The infectivity and infection rates of the NP1 group were not different than those of the NO group. Our data suggest that 50% and 75% propolis extracts are appropriate concentrations for treating N. ceranae infection in honey bees. Ethanolic extracted propolis can be an alternative treatment for N. ceranae infection in Western honey bees.

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Evaluating the Efficacy of Common Treatments Used for Vairimorpha (Nosema) spp. Control

Cited by 9 publications

References 51 publications

Fall Treatment with Fumagillin Contributes to an Overwinter Shift in Vairimorpha Species Prevalence in Honey Bee Colonies in Western Canada

Fall Treatment with Fumagillin Contributes to an Overwinter Shift in Vairimorpha Species Prevalence in Honey Bee Colonies in Western Canada

Nosemosis negatively affects honeybee survival: experimental and meta-analytic evidence

The Optimal Concentrations of Ethanolic-Extracted Propolis for a Reduction of <em>Nosema ceranae</em> Infection in Western Honey Bees, <em>Apis mellifera</em>

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