Title
Protein nutrition governs within-host race of honey bee pathogens
Date Issued
01 December 2017
Access level
open access
Resource Type
journal article
Author(s)
University of Bern
Publisher(s)
Nature Publishing Group
Abstract
Multiple infections are common in honey bees, Apis mellifera, but the possible role of nutrition in this regard is poorly understood. Microsporidian infections, which are promoted by protein-fed, can negatively correlate with virus infections, but the role of protein nutrition for the microsporidian-virus interface is unknown. Here, we challenged naturally deformed wing virus - B (DWV-B) infected adult honey bee workers fed with or without pollen (= protein) in hoarding cages, with the microsporidian Nosema ceranae. Bee mortality was recorded for 14 days and N. ceranae spore loads and DWV-B titers were quantified. Amongst the groups inoculated with N. ceranae, more spores were counted in protein-fed bees. However, N. ceranae infected bees without protein-diet had reduced longevity compared to all other groups. N. ceranae infection had no effect on protein-fed bee's longevity, whereas bees supplied only with sugar-water showed reduced survival. Our data also support that protein-feeding can have a significant negative impact on virus infections in insects. The negative correlation between N. ceranae spore loads and DWV-B titers was stronger expressed in protein-fed hosts. Proteins not only enhance survival of infected hosts, but also significantly shape the microsporidian-virus interface, probably due to increased spore production and enhanced host immunity.
Volume
7
Issue
1
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Biología celular, Microbiología
Zoología, Ornitología, Entomología, ciencias biológicas del comportamiento
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-85033385382
PubMed ID
Source
Scientific Reports
ISSN of the container
20452322
Sponsor(s)
The authors are grateful to Elodie Cristina, Kaspar Roth and Lars Straub for technical support and to Lars Straub for linguistic assistance. Financial support was granted to PN by the Vinetum Foundation and the Ricola Foundation Nature and Culture.
Sources of information:
Directorio de Producción Científica
Scopus