Genetic detection and quantification of Nosema apis and N. ceranae in the honey bee

Bourgeois, Anke; Rinderer, Thomas E.; Beaman, Lorraine D.; Danka, Robert G.

doi:10.1016/j.jip.2009.10.009

Cited by 95 publications

(91 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…The observed infection loads of individual bees were significantly higher for L. passim compared to N. ceranae , and are well within the limits of previous reports for foraging bees (Bourgeois et al., 2010; Ravoet et al., 2013, 2015; Retschnig, Neumann, & Williams, 2014; Retschnig et al., 2015). Despite the observed high infection loads, there were no significant differences between the infection loads of both parasites in single‐ or double‐infected hosts.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Lotmaria passim and N. ceranae parasites/bee were calculated following Bourgeois, Rinderer, Beaman, & Danka (2010) by comparing experimental Cq‐values with those of the standard curve. The calculation was performed by conversion factors from copies/μl to spore or cell equivalents/bee as follows:

\frac{Number individual parasite}{bee} = \frac{(\frac{normalα parasite copies}{normalμ normall PCR}) \times (\frac{25 normalμ normall}{0.05 bee})}{β copies per genome}

where α = copy number from real‐time PCR, β = 1 or 10 copies per genome for L. passim or N. ceranae , respectively, and 0.05 bee represents the 50 μl supernatant taken from the homogenate.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Host sharing by the honey bee parasites Lotmaria passim and Nosema ceranae

Tritschler

Retschnig

Yañez

et al. 2017

Ecology and Evolution

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The trypanosome Lotmaria passim and the microsporidian Nosema ceranae are common parasites of the honey bee, Apis mellifera, intestine, but the nature of interactions between them is unknown. Here, we took advantage of naturally occurring infections and quantified infection loads of individual workers (N = 408) originating from three apiaries (four colonies per apiary) using PCR to test for interactions between these two parasites. For that purpose, we measured the frequency of single and double infections, estimated the parasite loads of single and double infections, and determined the type of correlation between both parasites in double infections. If interactions between both parasites are strong and antagonistic, single infections should be more frequent than double infections, double infections will have lower parasite loads than single infections, and double infections will present a negative correlation. Overall, a total of 88 workers were infected with N. ceranae, 53 with L. passim, and eight with both parasites. Although both parasites were found in all three apiaries, there were significant differences among apiaries in the proportions of infected bees. The data show no significant differences between the expected and observed frequencies of single‐ and double‐infected bees. While the infection loads of individual bees were significantly higher for L. passim compared to N. ceranae, there were no significant differences in infection loads between single‐ and double‐infected hosts for both parasites. These results suggest no strong interactions between the two parasites in honey bees, possibly due to spatial separation in the host. The significant positive correlation between L. passim and N. ceranae infection loads in double‐infected hosts therefore most likely results from differences among individual hosts rather than cooperation between parasites. Even if hosts are infected by multiple parasites, this does not necessarily imply that there are any significant interactions between them.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

\frac{Number individual parasite}{bee} = \frac{(\frac{normalα parasite copies}{normalμ normall PCR}) \times (\frac{25 normalμ normall}{0.05 bee})}{β copies per genome}

where α = copy number from real‐time PCR, β = 1 or 10 copies per genome for L. passim or N. ceranae , respectively, and 0.05 bee represents the 50 μl supernatant taken from the homogenate.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Host sharing by the honey bee parasites Lotmaria passim and Nosema ceranae

Tritschler

Retschnig

Yañez

et al. 2017

Ecology and Evolution

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“…In contrast, N. ceranae does not produce obvious symptoms and is commonly found throughout the year (Bourgeois et al 2010). Both Nosema species affect colony mortality rates, as well as honey and brood production (Fries 2010;Fries et al 2013).…”

Section: Nosema Apis and N Ceranaementioning

confidence: 99%

Honeybee health in Africa—a review

Pirk¹,

Strauss²,

Yusuf³

et al. 2015

Apidologie

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-Honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) pathogens and parasites and the negative effects thereof on honeybee populations remain an issue of public concern and the subject of active research. Africa with its high genetic diversity of honeybee sub-species and large wild population is also exposed to various factors responsible for colony losses in other parts of the world. Apart from the current American foulbrood epidemic in the Western Cape of South Africa, no large-scale colony losses have been reported elsewhere on the continent. We discuss the presence of pathogens, parasites, pests and predators of African honeybees as well as the threats they face in relation to habitat changes arising from the impact of increased human populations. In addition, we discuss current efforts aimed at protecting and promoting the health of African honeybees.honeybees / Africa / honeybee health / pathogens / parasites / pests / predators / habitat loss

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“…The symptoms of honey bee nosemosis caused by N. apis are easier to observe; there are large numbers of dead bees in the colony and diarrhoea stains at hive entrances, indicating digestive system disorders (Bourgeois et al 2010). However, this is regarded as a fairly benign pathogen that rarely causes colony losses (Bailey 1967, Bailey andBall 1991).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, this is regarded as a fairly benign pathogen that rarely causes colony losses (Bailey 1967, Bailey andBall 1991). By contrast, the symptoms of infection by N. ceranae are less obvious; colonies grow weaker (Bourgeois et al 2010) and it is possible to detect the disease throughout the entire year (Higes et al 2010 b ). Moreover, it has been identified as the main causative agent for the loss of colonies in many geographical regions (Martin-Hernandez et al 2007, suggesting that N. ceranae is more virulent than N. apis .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%