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Zhang Z, Villalobos EM, Nikaido S, Martin SJ. Seasonal Variability in the Prevalence of DWV Strains in Individual Colonies of European Honeybees in Hawaii. INSECTS 2024; 15:219. [PMID: 38667349 PMCID: PMC11050578 DOI: 10.3390/insects15040219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
The most prevalent viral pathogen of honeybees is Deformed Wing Virus (DWV) and its two most widely studied and common master-variants are DWV-A and DWV-B. The prevalence of DWV variants in the UK and in the US is changing, with the prevalence of the DWV-A strain declining and DWV-B increasing over time. In 2012, only DWV-A was detected on the Hawaiian Islands of Oahu. In this study we focused on a colony-level survey of DWV strains in a single apiary and examined the prevalence of DWV variants over the course of two years. In 2018 and 2019, a total of 16 colonies underwent viral testing in January, May, and September. Of those 16 colonies, four were monitored in both 2018 and 2019. Individual colonies showed variability of DWV master variants throughout the sampling period. DWV-A was consistently detected; however, the detection of DWV-B was variable across time in individual colonies. Ultimately, this study demonstrated a seasonal variation in both viral prevalence and load for DWV-B, providing a perspective on the dynamic nature of DWV master variants emerging in Hawaii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhening Zhang
- Department of Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii, 3050 Maile Way, 310 Gilmore Hall, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA; (E.M.V.); (S.N.)
| | - Ethel M. Villalobos
- Department of Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii, 3050 Maile Way, 310 Gilmore Hall, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA; (E.M.V.); (S.N.)
| | - Scott Nikaido
- Department of Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii, 3050 Maile Way, 310 Gilmore Hall, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA; (E.M.V.); (S.N.)
| | - Stephen J. Martin
- School of Environment and Life Sciences, The University of Salford, Manchester M5 4WT, UK;
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2
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Durand T, Bonjour-Dalmon A, Dubois E. Viral Co-Infections and Antiviral Immunity in Honey Bees. Viruses 2023; 15:v15051217. [PMID: 37243302 DOI: 10.3390/v15051217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past few decades, honey bees have been facing an increasing number of stressors. Beyond individual stress factors, the synergies between them have been identified as a key factor in the observed increase in colony mortality. However, these interactions are numerous and complex and call for further research. Here, in line with our need for a systemic understanding of the threats that they pose to bee health, we review the interactions between honey bee viruses. As viruses are obligate parasites, the interactions between them not only depend on the viruses themselves but also on the immune responses of honey bees. Thus, we first summarise our current knowledge of the antiviral immunity of honey bees. We then review the interactions between specific pathogenic viruses and their interactions with their host. Finally, we draw hypotheses from the current literature and suggest directions for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tristan Durand
- National Research Institute for Agriculture Food and Environement, INRAE, UR 406 Abeilles et Environnement, Site Agroparc, 84914 Avignon, France
- French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety, ANSES, 06902 Sophia Antipolis, France
| | - Anne Bonjour-Dalmon
- National Research Institute for Agriculture Food and Environement, INRAE, UR 406 Abeilles et Environnement, Site Agroparc, 84914 Avignon, France
| | - Eric Dubois
- French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety, ANSES, 06902 Sophia Antipolis, France
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3
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Woodford L, Sharpe G, Highet F, Evans DJ. All together now: Geographically coordinated miticide treatment benefits honey bee health. J Appl Ecol 2023; 60:790-802. [PMID: 38505246 PMCID: PMC10947427 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.14367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Deformed wing virus (DWV) is a pathogenic virus of honey bees transmitted by the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor. Annual overwintering colony losses, accounting for ~25% of all colonies, are associated with high levels of Varroa-DWV infestation. Effective miticide treatments are available to control Varroa. However, the absence of coordinated treatment means environmental transmission of mites continues unchecked. We aimed to determine whether rational, coordinated treatment is beneficial, and characterized the DWV population as an indicator of colony health.This study uses coordinated treatment of Varroa in a geographically isolated environment (Isle of Arran, Scotland) over 3 years. The study area contained 50-84 colonies managed by ~20 amateur beekeepers. Sampling and virus analysis to assess strain diversity and viral loads were conducted before and after treatments, and changes in population diversity were quantified by sequence analysis.Over the 3 years analysis of the virus population revealed that the dominant DWV variant shifted from Type A to Type B in all apiaries, regardless of mite levels or proximity to other colonies. During this period the number of managed colonies increased by 47% (57-84 colonies), but despite this, we estimate total mite numbers decreased by 58%. Synthesis and applications. In this study, the beekeepers in Arran significantly improved the number of colonies they managed, without importing any bees onto the island, indicating that an improved focus on management techniques, through the combination of a coordinated miticide programme and an improved understanding of bee diseases, could yield positive results for bee health and sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke Woodford
- Biomedical Sciences Research ComplexUniversity of St. AndrewsSt. AndrewsUK
| | | | - Fiona Highet
- Science and Advice for Scottish AgricultureEdinburghUK
| | - David J. Evans
- Biomedical Sciences Research ComplexUniversity of St. AndrewsSt. AndrewsUK
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Paxton RJ, Schäfer MO, Nazzi F, Zanni V, Annoscia D, Marroni F, Bigot D, Laws-Quinn ER, Panziera D, Jenkins C, Shafiey H. Epidemiology of a major honey bee pathogen, deformed wing virus: potential worldwide replacement of genotype A by genotype B. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2022; 18:157-171. [PMID: 35592272 PMCID: PMC9112108 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2022.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The western honey bee (Apis mellifera) is of major economic and ecological importance, with elevated rates of colony losses in temperate regions over the last two decades thought to be largely caused by the exotic ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor and deformed wing virus (DWV), which the mite transmits. DWV currently exists as two main genotypes: the formerly widespread DWV-A and the more recently described and rapidly expanding DWV-B. It is an excellent system to understand viral evolution and the replacement of one viral variant by another. Here we synthesise published results on the distribution and prevalence of DWV-A and -B over the period 2008-2021 and present novel data for Germany, Italy and the UK to suggest that (i) DWV-B has rapidly expanded worldwide since its first description in 2004 and (ii) that it is potentially replacing DWV-A. Both genotypes are also found in wild bee species. Based on a simple mathematical model, we suggest that interference between viral genotypes when co-infecting the same host is key to understanding their epidemiology. We finally discuss the consequences of genotype replacement for beekeeping and for wild pollinator species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J. Paxton
- General Zoology, Institute for Biology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Hoher Weg 8, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstrasse 4, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Marc O. Schäfer
- Institute of Infectology Medicine, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Francesco Nazzi
- Dipartimento di Scienze AgroAlimentari, Ambientali e Animali, Università degli Studi di Udine, Via delle Scienze 206, 33100, Udine, Italy
| | - Virginia Zanni
- Dipartimento di Scienze AgroAlimentari, Ambientali e Animali, Università degli Studi di Udine, Via delle Scienze 206, 33100, Udine, Italy
| | - Desiderato Annoscia
- Dipartimento di Scienze AgroAlimentari, Ambientali e Animali, Università degli Studi di Udine, Via delle Scienze 206, 33100, Udine, Italy
| | - Fabio Marroni
- Dipartimento di Scienze AgroAlimentari, Ambientali e Animali, Università degli Studi di Udine, Via delle Scienze 206, 33100, Udine, Italy
| | - Diane Bigot
- General Zoology, Institute for Biology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Hoher Weg 8, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Eoin R. Laws-Quinn
- General Zoology, Institute for Biology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Hoher Weg 8, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Delphine Panziera
- General Zoology, Institute for Biology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Hoher Weg 8, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Christina Jenkins
- General Zoology, Institute for Biology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Hoher Weg 8, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Hassan Shafiey
- General Zoology, Institute for Biology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Hoher Weg 8, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstrasse 4, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
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Woodford L, Christie CR, Campbell EM, Budge GE, Bowman AS, Evans DJ. Quantitative and Qualitative Changes in the Deformed Wing Virus Population in Honey Bees Associated with the Introduction or Removal of Varroa destructor. Viruses 2022; 14:v14081597. [PMID: 35893663 PMCID: PMC9332399 DOI: 10.3390/v14081597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Varroa destructor is an ectoparasitic mite associated with significant losses of honeybee colonies globally. The mite vectors a range of pathogenic viruses, the most important of which is the Deformed wing virus (DWV). In the absence of Varroa, DWV exists as a low-level, highly diverse virus population. However, when transmitted by Varroa, certain variants become highly elevated, and may become near-clonal and cause symptomatic infections. Mite transmission between colonies can occur when parasitised workers drift from or rob adjacent hives. These activities can result in elevated mite levels, but the resulting change in the DWV population, the primary determinant of winter colony losses, has not been determined. In reciprocal studies, we investigated the influence of the removal of mites, or their acquisition, on the DWV population. When mites were removed from heavily infested colonies, there was a striking and rapid reduction in virus load. Conversely, siting Varroa-naïve colonies in a mite-infested apiary resulted in the acquisition of mites and concomitant changes in the virus population. We observed both near-clonal and highly divergent virus populations regardless of titre, suggesting changes were stochastic and colony-specific. Our findings have implications for the outcome of strategies in areas with total or patchy implementation of Varroa control plans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke Woodford
- Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews KY16 9ST, UK;
- Correspondence:
| | - Craig R. Christie
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3FX, UK; (C.R.C.); (E.M.C.); (A.S.B.)
| | - Ewan M. Campbell
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3FX, UK; (C.R.C.); (E.M.C.); (A.S.B.)
| | - Giles E. Budge
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle NE1 7RU, UK;
| | - Alan S. Bowman
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3FX, UK; (C.R.C.); (E.M.C.); (A.S.B.)
| | - David J. Evans
- Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews KY16 9ST, UK;
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Piot N, Smagghe G. Critical View on the Importance of Host Defense Strategies on Virus Distribution of Bee Viruses: What Can We Learn from SARS-CoV-2 Variants? Viruses 2022; 14:503. [PMID: 35336909 PMCID: PMC8951442 DOI: 10.3390/v14030503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Bees, both wild and domesticated ones, are hosts to a plethora of viruses, with most of them infecting a wide range of bee species and genera. Although viral discovery and research on bee viruses date back over 50 years, the last decade is marked by a surge of new studies, new virus discoveries, and reports on viral transmission in and between bee species. This steep increase in research on bee viruses was mainly initiated by the global reports on honeybee colony losses and the worldwide wild bee decline, where viruses are regarded as one of the main drivers. While the knowledge gained on bee viruses has significantly progressed in a short amount of time, we believe that integration of host defense strategies and their effect on viral dynamics in the multi-host viral landscape are important aspects that are currently still missing. With the large epidemiological dataset generated over the last two years on the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the role of these defense mechanisms in shaping viral dynamics has become eminent. Integration of these dynamics in a multi-host system would not only greatly aid the understanding of viral dynamics as a driver of wild bee decline, but we believe bee pollinators and their viruses provide an ideal system to study the multi-host viruses and their epidemiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niels Piot
- Laboratory of Agrozoology, Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Guy Smagghe
- Laboratory of Agrozoology, Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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Gusachenko ON, Woodford L, Balbirnie-Cumming K, Evans DJ. First come, first served: superinfection exclusion in Deformed wing virus is dependent upon sequence identity and not the order of virus acquisition. THE ISME JOURNAL 2021; 15:3704-3713. [PMID: 34193965 PMCID: PMC8630095 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-021-01043-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Deformed wing virus (DWV) is the most important globally distributed pathogen of honey bees and, when vectored by the ectoparasite Varroa destructor, is associated with high levels of colony losses. Divergent DWV types may differ in their pathogenicity and are reported to exhibit superinfection exclusion upon sequential infections, an inevitability in a Varroa-infested colony. We used a reverse genetic approach to investigate competition and interactions between genetically distinct or related virus strains, analysing viral load over time, tissue distribution with reporter gene-expressing viruses and recombination between virus variants. Transient competition occurred irrespective of the order of virus acquisition, indicating no directionality or dominance. Over longer periods, the ability to compete with a pre-existing infection correlated with the genetic divergence of the inoculae. Genetic recombination was observed throughout the DWV genome with recombinants accounting for ~2% of the population as determined by deep sequencing. We propose that superinfection exclusion, if it occurs at all, is a consequence of a cross-reactive RNAi response to the viruses involved, explaining the lack of dominance of one virus type over another. A better understanding of the consequences of dual- and superinfection will inform development of cross-protective honey bee vaccines and landscape-scale DWV transmission and evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olesya N. Gusachenko
- grid.11914.3c0000 0001 0721 1626Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St. Andrews, North Haugh, St. Andrews, UK
| | - Luke Woodford
- grid.11914.3c0000 0001 0721 1626Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St. Andrews, North Haugh, St. Andrews, UK
| | - Katharin Balbirnie-Cumming
- grid.11914.3c0000 0001 0721 1626Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St. Andrews, North Haugh, St. Andrews, UK
| | - David J. Evans
- grid.11914.3c0000 0001 0721 1626Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St. Andrews, North Haugh, St. Andrews, UK
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8
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Bouuaert DC, De Smet L, de Graaf DC. Breeding for Virus Resistance and Its Effects on Deformed Wing Virus Infection Patterns in Honey Bee Queens. Viruses 2021; 13:v13061074. [PMID: 34199957 PMCID: PMC8228329 DOI: 10.3390/v13061074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Viruses, and in particular the deformed wing virus (DWV), are considered as one of the main antagonists of honey bee health. The 'suppressed in ovo virus infection' trait (SOV) described for the first time that control of a virus infection can be achieved from genetically inherited traits and that the virus state of the eggs is indicative for this. This research aims to explore the effect of the SOV trait on DWV infections in queens descending from both SOV-positive (QDS+) and SOV-negative (QDS-) queens. Twenty QDS+ and QDS- were reared from each time four queens in the same starter-finisher colony. From each queen the head, thorax, ovaries, spermatheca, guts and eviscerated abdomen were dissected and screened for the presence of the DWV-A and DWV-B genotype using qRT-PCR. Queens descending from SOV-positive queens showed significant lower infection loads for DWV-A and DWV-B as well as a lower number of infected tissues for DWV-A. Surprisingly, differences were less expressed in the reproductive tissues, the ovaries and spermatheca. These results confirm that selection on the SOV trait is associated with increased virus resistance across viral genotypes and that this selection drives DWV towards an increased tissue specificity for the reproductive tissues. Further research is needed to explore the mechanisms underlying the interaction between the antiviral response and DWV.
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