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Novel probiotic approach to counter Paenibacillus larvae infection in honey bees
Brendan A Daisley1,2, Andrew P Pitek3, John A Chmiel1,2
1Centre for Human Microbiome and Probiotic Research, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada.
Abstract:
American foulbrood (AFB) is a highly virulent disease afflicting honey bees (Apis mellifera). The causative organism, Paenibacillus larvae, attacks honey bee brood and renders entire hives dysfunctional during active disease states, but more commonly resides in hives asymptomatically as inactive spores that elude even vigilant beekeepers. The mechanism of this pathogenic transition is not fully understood, and no cure exists for AFB. Here, we evaluated how hive supplementation with probiotic lactobacilli (delivered through a nutrient patty; BioPatty) affected colony resistance towards a naturally occurring AFB outbreak. Results demonstrated a significantly lower pathogen load and proteolytic activity of honey bee larvae from BioPatty-treated hives. Interestingly, a distinctive shift in the microbiota composition of adult nurse bees occurred irrespective of treatment group during the monitoring period, but only vehicle-supplemented nurse bees exhibited higher P. larvae loads. In vitro experiments utilizing laboratory-reared honey bee larvae showed Lactobacillus plantarum Lp39, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1, and Lactobacillus kunkeei BR-1 (contained in the BioPatty) could reduce pathogen load, upregulate expression of key immune genes, and improve survival during P. larvae infection. These findings suggest the usage of a lactobacilli-containing hive supplement, which is practical and affordable for beekeepers, may be effective for reducing enzootic pathogen-related hive losses.
Insights
Supplementing honey bee hives with probiotics like lactobacilli can significantly reduce American foulbrood (AFB) pathogen loads. This practical approach may help beekeepers mitigate losses from this devastating honey bee disease.
Area of Science:
- Apiculture and Bee Health
- Microbiology and Immunology
- Insect Pathology
Background:
- American foulbrood (AFB), caused by Paenibacillus larvae, is a severe honey bee brood disease.
- P. larvae can persist as asymptomatic spores, making eradication difficult and posing a constant threat to Apis mellifera colonies.
- Current treatments for AFB are limited, and the mechanisms of pathogenic transition remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of probiotic lactobacilli supplementation in enhancing honey bee colony resistance to American foulbrood.
- To assess the impact of a lactobacilli-containing nutrient patty (BioPatty) on P. larvae pathogen load and colony health during a natural AFB outbreak.
Main Methods:
- Field study involving honey bee colonies supplemented with a lactobacilli-infused nutrient patty (BioPatty) or a control patty.
- Monitoring of P. larvae pathogen load and proteolytic activity in larvae from treated and control hives.
- In vitro experiments using laboratory-reared larvae to evaluate the effects of specific Lactobacillus strains (Lp39, GR-1, BR-1) on P. larvae infection.
Main Results:
- BioPatty-treated hives exhibited significantly lower P. larvae pathogen loads and reduced proteolytic activity in larvae compared to controls.
- While nurse bee microbiota shifted in all colonies, only control nurse bees showed increased P. larvae loads.
- In vitro, Lactobacillus strains (Lp39, GR-1, BR-1) reduced P. larvae load, upregulated immune gene expression, and improved larval survival.
Conclusions:
- Hive supplementation with lactobacilli-containing BioPatty can effectively reduce pathogen load and enhance honey bee colony resistance to American foulbrood.
- Probiotic lactobacilli demonstrate potential as a practical and affordable strategy for beekeepers to manage enzootic P. larvae infections and reduce hive losses.
- Further research into the interaction between probiotics, honey bee immunity, and P. larvae pathogenesis is warranted.
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