Effect of Bacterial Metabolites on Microsporidian Nosema ceranae and on its host Apis mellifera

PORRINI, MARTÍN P.; AUDISIO, M. CARINA; SABATÉ, DANIELA C.; IBARGUREN, CAROLINA; MEDICI, SANDRA K.; SARLO, EDGARDO G.; GARRIDO, P. MELISA; EGUARAS, MARTÍN J.

PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH

SPRINGER

Año: 2010 vol. 107 p. 381 - 388

0932-0113

Nosemosis, a disease caused by a Microsporidian infection, is one of the most frequently observed parasitic pathologies affecting adult honeybees. Presently, Nosema ceranae seems to be the main microsporidian infection in Apis mellifera. The antibiotic fumagillin is the only compound available to treat Nosema diseases; however, it is no longer licensed in most EU member states, therefore, the need to identify new molecules/substances prevails. The intent of this paper is to test bacterial metabolites produced by Bacillus and Enterococcus strains, isolated from bees midgut and honey. The toxicity on bees and the antiparasitic activity on N. ceranae were assessed under laboratory conditions. Results did not yield toxicity for the administered concentrations. Spores exposed to direct contact with surfactin revealed a significant infectivity reduction when inoculated on bees. This surfactin, administered ad libitum from the individuals’ emergence, led to a significant reduction in parasitosis development when bees were infected with untreated spores 7 days post-emergence. Based on the results obtained, one of the surfactins is herein postulated as a molecule capable of reducing N. ceranae development, acting either by direct exposure to purified spores or incorporated into the lumen of the bees midgut. Keywords: Apis mellifera; Nosema ceranae; bacteriocin; surfactin; lactic acid.