PATHOPHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF THE MICROSPORIDIUM NOSEMA CERANAE INFECTION ON WORKER HONEY BEES (APIS MELLIFERA).

Abstract

Nosema ceranae is an important stressor in honey bee colonies all over the world. N. ceranae infection can potentially cause serious economic damage in the industry if left untreated. We designed two experiments to investigate the associations between N. ceranae infection and pathophysiological traits occurring in the honey bee body. First, we conducted a retrospective cohort study. We dissected and scored specific tissues of the bees and compared scores of bees coming and not coming from apiaries with high Nosema loads Next, we conducted a cage study. We inoculated a group of bees with N. ceranae spores and collected samples from cages at different points in time. By this, we found the exposure to N. ceranae increases the relative risk of certain pathophysiological traits. Pathophysiologies occurring in the bodies of infected bees over time help elucidate the progression of this disease in the bee body from the standpoint of pathophysiology. We found that N. ceranae exposure advanced the onset of some age-related pathologies.