Effect of Nosema ceranae infection and season on the gut bacteriome composition of the European honeybee (Apis mellifera)

Abstract

Nosema ceranae is an intracellular parasite that infects honeybees’ gut altering the digestive functions; therefore, it has the potential of affecting the composition of the gut microbiome. In this work, individual bees of known age were sampled both in spring and autumn, and their digestive tracts were assessed for N. ceranae infection. Intestinal microbiome was assessed by sequencing the bacterial 16S rRNA gene in two different gut sections, the anterior section (AS; midgut and a half of ileum) and the posterior section (PS; second half of ileum and rectum). A preliminary analysis with a first batch of samples (n = 42) showed that AS samples had a higher potential to discriminate between infected and non-infected bees than PS samples. As a consequence, AS samples were selected for subsequent analyses. When analyzing the whole set of AS samples (n = 158) no changes in α- or β-diversity were observed between infected and non-infected bees. However, significant changes in the relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Firmicutes appeared when a subgroup of highly infected bees was compared to the group of non-infected bees. Seasonality and bees’ age had a significant impact in shaping the bacteriome structure and composition of the bees’ gut. Further research is needed to elucidate possible associations between the microbiome and N. ceranae infection in order to find efficient strategies for prevention of infections through modulation of bees’ microbiome.

Occurrence of Nosemosis in honey bee,Apis melliferaL. at the apiaries of East Kazakhstan

“…Differences in the number of causative agents as observed in between spring and autumn may equally be related to the size of a bee family, as well as physiological features of bees in these seasons. Older bees have a higher level of contamination with Nosema ceranae ( Jabal-Uriel et al, 2022a ; Jabal-Uriel et al, 2022b ).…”

“…The level of infestation in bee families at the same apiary over the summer time may differ not least because of the field bees from different bee families choosing different plants. Chemical composition of honey and pollen collected from different plants may vary ( Jabal-Uriel et al, 2022a ; Jabal-Uriel et al, 2022b ). Consequently, their impact on bee health will be different as well.…”

“…Consequently, their impact on bee health will be different as well. For instance, high-quality and diverse pollen nutrition improves the survival rate of the healthy bees and the bees infected with Nosema ceranae , whilst the quality of pollen (as reflected through protein content and antioxidative activity) highly impacts the exposure of bees to infection ( Martín-Hernández et al, 2018 ; Jabal-Uriel et al, 2022a ; Jabal-Uriel et al, 2022b ). The pollen and honey of some plants (manuka) may trigger premature death of bee families ( Malone, Gatehouse & Tregidga, 2001 ).…”

“…Some of the most dangerous and widespread parasites on adult honey bees are microsporidia of the genus Nosema spp. (Nosematidae), parasitizing in the epithelial cells of the mid-gut ( Bailey, 1981 ; Matheson, 1993 ; Chernyshev, 2012 ; Rangel et al, 2015 ; Golubeva, 2018 ; Jabal-Uriel et al, 2022a ; Jabal-Uriel et al, 2022b ). To date, there have been identified several species of microsporidia that affect honey bees, i.e.…”

Transcriptome of Nosema ceranae and Upregulated Microsporidia Genes during Its Infection of Western Honey Bee (Apis mellifera)

“…Besides, severe physiological effects caused by an infection with N. ceranae , including the expression of age-inappropriate behaviors, a reduced flying capability, and a shortened lifespan, were also reported [ 23 ]. It was reported that an infection with N. ceranae does not cause large compositional changes to the honey bee midgut microbiota, but the relative abundances of Proteobacteria and Firmicutes were significantly changed under a severe N. ceranae infection, indicating the dysbiosis state of the bacteriome in the honey bee gut [ 24 ]. In addition, it has also been reported that co-exposure to pesticides, such as fipronil or thiamethoxam, and N. ceranae decreased the survival rate of honey bees [ 25 ].…”