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Phage Therapy is Effective in Protecting Honeybee Larvae from American Foulbrood Disease
Sara Ghorbani-Nezami1, Lucy LeBlanc1, Diane G Yost1
1Department of Biological Sciences, School of Life Sciences, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154-4004.
Abstract:
American foulbrood disease has a major impact on honeybees (Apis melifera) worldwide. It is caused by a Gram-positive, spore-forming bacterium, Paenibacillus larvae. The disease can only affect larval honeybees, and the bacterial endospores are the infective unit of the disease. Antibiotics are not sufficient to combat the disease due to increasing resistance among P. larvae strains. Because of the durability and virulence of P. larvae endospores, infections spread rapidly, and beekeepers are often forced to burn beehives and equipment. To date, very little information is available on the use of bacteriophage therapy in rescuing and preventing American foulbrood disease, therefore the goal of this study was to test the efficacy of phage therapy against P. larvae infection. Out of 32 previously isolated P. larvae phages, three designated F, WA, and XIII were tested on artificially reared honeybee larvae infected with P. larvae strain NRRL B-3650 spores. The presence of P. larvae DNA in dead larvae was confirmed by 16S rRNA gene-specific polymerase chain reaction amplification. Survival rates for phage-treated larvae were approximately the same as for larvae never infected with spores (84%), i.e., the phages had no deleterious effect on the larvae. Additionally, prophylactic treatment of larvae with phages before spore infection was more effective than administering phages after infection, although survival in both cases was higher than spores alone (45%). Further testing to determine the optimal combination and concentration of phages, and testing in actual hive conditions are needed.
Insights
Phage therapy shows promise in combating American foulbrood disease in honeybees. Treated larvae demonstrated high survival rates, suggesting a potential alternative to antibiotics for protecting Apis mellifera.
Area of Science:
- Apiculture
- Microbiology
- Veterinary Entomology
Background:
- American foulbrood disease, caused by Paenibacillus larvae, severely impacts honeybee (Apis mellifera) populations globally.
- Bacterial endospores of P. larvae are highly durable and virulent, leading to rapid infections and often requiring destruction of infected hives.
- Existing antibiotic treatments are becoming insufficient due to increasing resistance in P. larvae strains.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of bacteriophage therapy as a treatment and preventative measure against Paenibacillus larvae infection in honeybee larvae.
- To assess the safety of phage therapy by determining any deleterious effects on honeybee larvae.
Main Methods:
- Three Paenibacillus larvae phages (F, WA, XIII) were tested on artificially reared honeybee larvae infected with P. larvae spores.
- Larval survival rates were compared between phage-treated groups and control groups (uninfected and spore-infected only).
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to confirm the presence of P. larvae DNA in dead larvae.
Main Results:
- Phage treatment did not adversely affect honeybee larvae, with survival rates comparable to uninfected controls (84%).
- Phage therapy significantly increased survival rates in infected larvae compared to spore-only treatment (45%).
- Prophylactic phage administration (before infection) was more effective than post-infection treatment.
Conclusions:
- Bacteriophage therapy is a safe and potentially effective strategy for managing American foulbrood disease in honeybees.
- Further research is required to optimize phage combinations, concentrations, and test efficacy under field conditions.
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