Pub Date : 2025-10-29DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2025.108485
Xiaolin Cai , Chunxiu Pang , Fuchang Zhuo , Bo Hu , Xuehua Huang , Jiaxing Huang , Yuming Lu
Melissococcus plutonius, the agent of European foulbrood (EFB), has been well studied in Apis mellifera but its epidemiology in Apis cerana remains less understood. We surveyed 37 apiaries across Guangxi, China, and detected M. plutonius in 32.4%, 10.8%, and 27.0% of larvae, adult bees, and honey samples, respectively, all originating from asymptomatic colonies. Duplex PCR revealed frequent co-detection of typical and atypical strains. Viable isolates were recovered from 58.3% of PCR-positive larval samples. Multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) showed six isolates (T1, X16, L20, Q21, Q22, L32) clustering with the atypical reference strain DAT561, and one isolate (P6) clustering with the typical reference strain ATCC 35311. Our findings highlight the high prevalence and strain diversity of M. plutonius in A. cerana in subtropical Guangxi and emphasize the need for region-specific surveillance strategies.
{"title":"High prevalence and strain diversity of Melissococcus plutonius in Apis cerana in Guangxi, China","authors":"Xiaolin Cai , Chunxiu Pang , Fuchang Zhuo , Bo Hu , Xuehua Huang , Jiaxing Huang , Yuming Lu","doi":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108485","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108485","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Melissococcus plutonius</em>, the agent of European foulbrood (EFB), has been well studied in <em>Apis mellifera</em> but its epidemiology in <em>Apis cerana</em> remains less understood. We surveyed 37 apiaries across Guangxi, China, and detected <em>M. plutonius</em> in 32.4%, 10.8%, and 27.0% of larvae, adult bees, and honey samples, respectively, all originating from asymptomatic colonies. Duplex PCR revealed frequent co-detection of typical and atypical strains. Viable isolates were recovered from 58.3% of PCR-positive larval samples. Multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) showed six isolates (T1, X16, L20, Q21, Q22, L32) clustering with the atypical reference strain DAT561, and one isolate (<em>P</em>6) clustering with the typical reference strain ATCC 35311. Our findings highlight the high prevalence and strain diversity of <em>M. plutonius</em> in <em>A. cerana</em> in subtropical Guangxi and emphasize the need for region-specific surveillance strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16296,"journal":{"name":"Journal of invertebrate pathology","volume":"214 ","pages":"Article 108485"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145421952","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-29DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2025.108484
Vincent Prayugo , Alexandria N. Payne , Bryony C. Bonning , Adam G. Dolezal
Honey bees are often exposed to and infected by multiple viruses, including deformed wing virus (DWV) and Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV). These pathogens are major contributors to colony failure, threatening the supply of pollination services in agriculture. However, understanding and modeling the infection and transmission dynamics of these viruses is hampered by gaps in knowledge about their infection timelines, specifically how virus load changes post-exposure. Moreover, while honey bees frequently experience co-occurring infections from multiple viruses, little is known about how co-infection affects virus-induced mortality and replication dynamics. We hypothesized that, while both DWV and IAPV are known to be highly infectious and can cause honey bee mortality, each presents a distinct infection timeline and peak infection intensity time window. In addition, we hypothesized that co-infection would result in increased mortality compared to individual virus infections due to increased pathogen-induced stress. To test these hypotheses, we exposed day-old honey bee workers to DWV, IAPV, or a combination of DWV and IAPV via carefully controlled experimental injections and tracked mortality and virus levels over time. After exposure, bees were maintained in the laboratory for 10 days and sampled daily for virus quantification. We observed a similar response pattern to both honey bee viruses in the first 24 h post-infection, where virus levels rapidly increased following inoculation. While DWV infection had persistently high virus levels and a delayed mortality response after peak DWV load was achieved, IAPV infection was rapidly followed by either mortality or a decline in virus load as bees recovered from infection. Co-infected bees showed some variation in mortality, although there were no significant differences in virus load between DWV or IAPV within co-infected bees compared to bees infected with the individual viruses. These results help answer fundamental questions related to the pathology of DWV and IAPV within honey bees that help clarify how these pathogens interact and persist within honey bee colonies.
{"title":"Infection timelines and co-infection effects of Israeli acute paralysis virus and deformed wing virus in the honey bee (Apis mellifera)","authors":"Vincent Prayugo , Alexandria N. Payne , Bryony C. Bonning , Adam G. Dolezal","doi":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108484","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108484","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Honey bees are often exposed to and infected by multiple viruses, including deformed wing virus (DWV) and Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV). These pathogens are major contributors to colony failure, threatening the supply of pollination services in agriculture. However, understanding and modeling the infection and transmission dynamics of these viruses is hampered by gaps in knowledge about their infection timelines, specifically how virus load changes post-exposure. Moreover, while honey bees frequently experience co-occurring infections from multiple viruses, little is known about how co-infection affects virus-induced mortality and replication dynamics. We hypothesized that, while both DWV and IAPV are known to be highly infectious and can cause honey bee mortality, each presents a distinct infection timeline and peak infection intensity time window. In addition, we hypothesized that co-infection would result in increased mortality compared to individual virus infections due to increased pathogen-induced stress. To test these hypotheses, we exposed day-old honey bee workers to DWV, IAPV, or a combination of DWV and IAPV via carefully controlled experimental injections and tracked mortality and virus levels over time. After exposure, bees were maintained in the laboratory for 10 days and sampled daily for virus quantification. We observed a similar response pattern to both honey bee viruses in the first 24 h post-infection, where virus levels rapidly increased following inoculation. While DWV infection had persistently high virus levels and a delayed mortality response after peak DWV load was achieved, IAPV infection was rapidly followed by either mortality or a decline in virus load as bees recovered from infection. Co-infected bees showed some variation in mortality, although there were no significant differences in virus load between DWV or IAPV within co-infected bees compared to bees infected with the individual viruses. These results help answer fundamental questions related to the pathology of DWV and IAPV within honey bees that help clarify how these pathogens interact and persist within honey bee colonies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16296,"journal":{"name":"Journal of invertebrate pathology","volume":"214 ","pages":"Article 108484"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145416885","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-28DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2025.108487
Maria Cristina Bruno , Sonia Endrizzi , Andrea Basso , Valentina Paolini , Tobia Pretto
One of the causes of the decline in distribution and abundance of the endangered white-clawed crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes complex throughout Europe is the invasion of alien crayfish, and the associated spread of infectious diseases, primarily the crayfish plague caused by Aphanomyces astaci. Another relevant disease is microsporidiosis (porcelain disease), caused by Astathelohania contejeani and Nosema austropotamobii. Between 2021 and 2024, we conducted a monitoring survey, aimed at mapping the distribution of A. astaci, A. contejeani and N. austropotamobii in wild populations of A. pallipes and in two non-indigenous species in Trentino (North-East Italy). We applied a non-invasive sampling method (cuticular swabs) in 33 populations of A. pallipes, 2 populations of Procambarus clarkii and 4 populations of Faxonius limosus, to investigate the presence of A. astaci. Aphanomyces astaci was detected in eight thriving populations of A. pallipes, and the presence of a low virulence genotype (genotype group A) was confirmed in one of them. Aphanomyces astaci was detected in one of the two populations of P. clarkii, as well as in one of the four populations of F. limosus. No mortality outbreaks in populations of A. pallipes were recorded in Trentino during the study period. Specimens with macroscopic signs of porcelain disease were found in thirteen populations of A. pallipes, abdominal muscle tissues were collected and subjected to molecular evaluation; microsporidiosis was detected in all the tested crayfish: seven populations were infected only by A. contejeani, and in six populations both microsporidia were detected. Crayfish from one population of P. clarkii and one of F. limosus were tested for microsporidiosis as well, but the results were negative. Based on the presence of chronically infected but thriving populations across the Trentino territory, we provide suggestions for the management of A. pallipes populations in conservation actions which require the movement of specimens (translocations, rearing in captivity).
{"title":"Crayfish plague and microsporidiosis occurrence in wild populations of the white-clawed crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes complex in Trentino (North-East Italy)","authors":"Maria Cristina Bruno , Sonia Endrizzi , Andrea Basso , Valentina Paolini , Tobia Pretto","doi":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108487","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108487","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>One of the causes of the decline in distribution and abundance of the endangered white-clawed crayfish <em>Austropotamobius pallipes</em> complex throughout Europe is the invasion of alien crayfish, and the associated spread of infectious diseases, primarily the crayfish plague caused by <em>Aphanomyces astaci</em>. Another relevant disease is microsporidiosis (porcelain disease), caused by <em>Astathelohania contejeani</em> and <em>Nosema austropotamobii</em>. Between 2021 and 2024, we conducted a monitoring survey, aimed at mapping the distribution of <em>A. astaci</em>, <em>A. contejeani</em> and <em>N. austropotamobii</em> in wild populations of <em>A. pallipes</em> and in two non-indigenous species in Trentino (North-East Italy). We applied a non-invasive sampling method (cuticular swabs) in 33 populations of <em>A. pallipes</em>, 2 populations of <em>Procambarus clarkii</em> and 4 populations of <em>Faxonius limosus</em>, to investigate the presence of <em>A. astaci</em>. <em>Aphanomyces astaci</em> was detected in eight thriving populations of <em>A. pallipes</em>, and the presence of a low virulence genotype (genotype group A) was confirmed in one of them. <em>Aphanomyces astaci</em> was detected in one of the two populations of <em>P. clarkii</em>, as well as in one of the four populations of <em>F. limosus</em>. No mortality outbreaks in populations of <em>A. pallipes</em> were recorded in Trentino during the study period. Specimens with macroscopic signs of porcelain disease were found in thirteen populations of <em>A. pallipes,</em> abdominal muscle tissues were collected and subjected to molecular evaluation; microsporidiosis was detected in all the tested crayfish: seven populations were infected only by <em>A. contejeani</em>, and in six populations both microsporidia were detected. Crayfish from one population of <em>P. clarkii</em> and one of <em>F. limosus</em> were tested for microsporidiosis as well, but the results were negative. Based on the presence of chronically infected but thriving populations across the Trentino territory, we provide suggestions for the management of <em>A. pallipes</em> populations in conservation actions which require the movement of specimens (translocations, rearing in captivity).</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16296,"journal":{"name":"Journal of invertebrate pathology","volume":"214 ","pages":"Article 108487"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145409162","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-28DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2025.108488
Ge Jiang , Xianping Fan , Jie Cheng , Yi Qiao , Xiaotong Wang , Yijun Liu , Xiaohui Cao , Shen Hui
Acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND), caused by the toxin‐producing Vibrio sp., has become a serious threat to shrimp aquaculture. Egg yolk immunoglobulin(IgY) has the advantage of low cost and good protection in the treatment of diseases caused by specific pathogens in crustaceans. This study evaluated the protective effect of IgY against AHPND infection in Penaeus vannamei. IgY was isolated from eggs laid by hens immunized with recombinant PirAB toxin, which prepared with the PirAB gene as the target gene. Freeze-dried egg powders with anti‐PirAB‐IgY were mixed with basal diets at 20 % and 10 % concentrations and IgY from non‐immunized hen (control‐IgY) was mixed with basal diets at 20 % concentrations and used to prefeed shrimp 3 days before the bacterial challenge test. Survival rates of the challenged shrimp fed the anti‐PirAB‐IgY(20 %), anti‐PirAB‐IgY(10 %), and control‐IgY diets were 70 %, 50 % and 13 %, respectively. The parameters including β-1,3-d-glucan-binding protein and Heat shock proteins 70 (Hsp70) had increased in the experimental groups fed with anti‐PirAB‐IgY compared with the positive control group, and the expression levels of crustin were significantly(P < 0.05) higher in the positive control group than in the other groups. This study provides an effective prophylactic method against AHPND infection in shrimp.
{"title":"Oral administration of egg yolk immunoglobulin (IgY) in Penaeus vannamei to combat against VpAHPND infections","authors":"Ge Jiang , Xianping Fan , Jie Cheng , Yi Qiao , Xiaotong Wang , Yijun Liu , Xiaohui Cao , Shen Hui","doi":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108488","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108488","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND), caused by the toxin‐producing <em>Vibrio</em> sp., has become a serious threat to shrimp aquaculture. Egg yolk immunoglobulin(IgY) has the advantage of low cost and good protection in the treatment of diseases caused by specific pathogens in crustaceans. This study evaluated the protective effect of IgY against AHPND infection in <em>Penaeus vannamei</em>. IgY was isolated from eggs laid by hens immunized with recombinant PirAB toxin, which prepared with the <em>PirAB</em> gene as the target gene. Freeze-dried egg powders with anti‐PirAB‐IgY were mixed with basal diets at 20 % and 10 % concentrations and IgY from non‐immunized hen (control‐IgY) was mixed with basal diets at 20 % concentrations and used to prefeed shrimp 3 days before the bacterial challenge test. Survival rates of the challenged shrimp fed the anti‐PirAB‐IgY(20 %), anti‐PirAB‐IgY(10 %), and control‐IgY diets were 70 %, 50 % and 13 %, respectively. The parameters including β-1,3-<span>d</span>-glucan-binding protein and Heat shock proteins 70 (Hsp70) had increased in the experimental groups fed with anti‐PirAB‐IgY compared with the positive control group, and the expression levels of crustin were significantly(<em>P</em> < 0.05) higher in the positive control group than in the other groups. This study provides an effective prophylactic method against AHPND infection in shrimp.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16296,"journal":{"name":"Journal of invertebrate pathology","volume":"214 ","pages":"Article 108488"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145409139","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-27DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2025.108479
Li-Guo Yang , Lei Feng , Li-Yan Ma , Xue-Feng Song , Jia-Yuan Xu , Bian-Bian Zhang , Wen-Hong Fang , Xin-Cang Li
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are known to modulate various immune responses and metabolic processes by targeting and silencing specific genes in invertebrates. However, the specific roles of miRNAs in the context of microsporidial infection in the shrimp Penaeus vannamei have not been well-defined. This study aimed to elucidate the functions of miRNAs in shrimp during the invasion by the microsporidian pathogen Ecytonucleospora hepatopenaei (EHP). To achieve this, we collected shrimp that had confirmed EHP infections and conducted a comprehensive transcriptional analysis. High-throughput sequencing data yielded 15,964,804 clean reads from the hepatopancreas of healthy shrimp and 14,301,330 clean reads from EHP-infected counterparts. From these samples, a total of 59 distinct miRNAs were identified. Notably, the expression levels of 31 miRNAs, with 16 being down-regulated and 15 up-regulated, were significantly altered in the hepatopancreas of EHP-infected shrimp when compared to the controls. The differentially expressed miRNAs were subjected to Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and target gene prediction to determine their biological relevance. The findings indicated that the miRNAs with altered expression are predominantly associated with immune response pathways and metabolic alterations, including those involved in the Toll-like receptor signaling pathway (Ko04620); the Toll and Imd signaling pathways (Ko04624); protein digestion and absorption (Ko04974); and the regulation of aldosterone synthesis and secretion (Ko04925). Collectively, our study advances our understanding of miRNAs’ roles within the innate immune system of shrimp and identifies potential novel targets for the management and prevention of EHP infections.
{"title":"Dysregulation of hepatopancreatic microRNAs in Penaeus vannamei in response to Ecytonucleospora hepatopenaei (EHP) infection: Implications for innate immunity and metabolic function","authors":"Li-Guo Yang , Lei Feng , Li-Yan Ma , Xue-Feng Song , Jia-Yuan Xu , Bian-Bian Zhang , Wen-Hong Fang , Xin-Cang Li","doi":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108479","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108479","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are known to modulate various immune responses and metabolic processes by targeting and silencing specific genes in invertebrates. However, the specific roles of miRNAs in the context of microsporidial infection in the shrimp <em>Penaeus vannamei</em> have not been well-defined. This study aimed to elucidate the functions of miRNAs in shrimp during the invasion by the microsporidian pathogen <em>Ecytonucleospora hepatopenaei</em> (EHP). To achieve this, we collected shrimp that had confirmed EHP infections and conducted a comprehensive transcriptional analysis. High-throughput sequencing data yielded 15,964,804 clean reads from the hepatopancreas of healthy shrimp and 14,301,330 clean reads from EHP-infected counterparts. From these samples, a total of 59 distinct miRNAs were identified. Notably, the expression levels of 31 miRNAs, with 16 being down-regulated and 15 up-regulated, were significantly altered in the hepatopancreas of EHP-infected shrimp when compared to the controls. The differentially expressed miRNAs were subjected to Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and target gene prediction to determine their biological relevance. The findings indicated that the miRNAs with altered expression are predominantly associated with immune response pathways and metabolic alterations, including those involved in the Toll-like receptor signaling pathway (Ko04620); the Toll and Imd signaling pathways (Ko04624); protein digestion and absorption (Ko04974); and the regulation of aldosterone synthesis and secretion (Ko04925). Collectively, our study advances our understanding of miRNAs’ roles within the innate immune system of shrimp and identifies potential novel targets for the management and prevention of EHP infections.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16296,"journal":{"name":"Journal of invertebrate pathology","volume":"214 ","pages":"Article 108479"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145401093","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-27DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2025.108483
Shangning Yang , Zhichu Huang , Ruike Wei , Dandan Liu , Xiaoling Su , Huoqing Zheng
The Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV), widespread in honeybee (Apis mellifera) colonies, causes paralysis, tremors, and eventual mortality, while strongly associated with colony collapse disorder (CCD). Currently, there are no widely approved antiviral therapies for IAPV infection; however, several natural compounds have shown promising antiviral efficacy. In this study, we evaluated the effects of eight natural compounds (myrcene, citral, menthol, chlorogenic acid, resveratrol, curcumin, quercetin, and tea polyphenols) on IAPV-infected honeybees. Bees were artificially or naturally infected with IAPV and subsequently fed sucrose solution supplemented with these compounds. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed that curcumin was the most effective compound in reducing viral load. After seven days of treatment with 10 µM curcumin, IAPV levels decreased by 46.2 % in artificially infected bees and 84.0 % in naturally infected bees. Transcriptomic analysis showed that curcumin upregulated genes involved in nutritional metabolism (e.g., Vg) and the RNA interference (RNAi) pathways (e.g., dicer, hsp90), which play a critical role in antiviral defense. Interestingly, it downregulated antimicrobial peptide genes (hymenoptaecin, abaecin, defensin 1). These findings demonstrated that curcumin mediated a strategic immune reconfiguration in honeybees, concentrating more resources on the RNAi pathway, while reducing energetically costly antimicrobial peptide synthesis. This optimized antiviral defense, combined with improved vitellogenin expression, suggests a metabolic efficiency adaptation that preferentially directs resources toward more effective IAPV countermeasures. Our results suggest that curcumin is a dual-action therapeutic candidate that simultaneously strengthens crucial antiviral defenses and maintains host vitality, offering significant promise for sustainable honeybee health management.
{"title":"Antiviral activity of curcumin against Israeli acute paralysis virus in Apis mellifera: Screening and mechanistic study","authors":"Shangning Yang , Zhichu Huang , Ruike Wei , Dandan Liu , Xiaoling Su , Huoqing Zheng","doi":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108483","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108483","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV), widespread in honeybee (<em>Apis mellifera</em>) colonies, causes paralysis, tremors, and eventual mortality, while strongly associated with colony collapse disorder (CCD). Currently, there are no widely approved antiviral therapies for IAPV infection; however, several natural compounds have shown promising antiviral efficacy. In this study, we evaluated the effects of eight natural compounds (myrcene, citral, menthol, chlorogenic acid, resveratrol, curcumin, quercetin, and tea polyphenols) on IAPV-infected honeybees. Bees were artificially or naturally infected with IAPV and subsequently fed sucrose solution supplemented with these compounds. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed that curcumin was the most effective compound in reducing viral load. After seven days of treatment with 10 µM curcumin, IAPV levels decreased by 46.2 % in artificially infected bees and 84.0 % in naturally infected bees. Transcriptomic analysis showed that curcumin upregulated genes involved in nutritional metabolism (e.g., <em>Vg</em>) and the RNA interference (RNAi) pathways (e.g., <em>dicer</em>, <em>hsp90</em>), which play a critical role in antiviral defense. Interestingly, it downregulated antimicrobial peptide genes (<em>hymenoptaecin</em>, <em>abaecin</em>, <em>defensin 1</em>). These findings demonstrated that curcumin mediated a strategic immune reconfiguration in honeybees, concentrating more resources on the RNAi pathway, while reducing energetically costly antimicrobial peptide synthesis. This optimized antiviral defense, combined with improved <em>vitellogenin</em> expression, suggests a metabolic efficiency adaptation that preferentially directs resources toward more effective IAPV countermeasures. Our results suggest that curcumin is a dual-action therapeutic candidate that simultaneously strengthens crucial antiviral defenses and maintains host vitality, offering significant promise for sustainable honeybee health management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16296,"journal":{"name":"Journal of invertebrate pathology","volume":"214 ","pages":"Article 108483"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145401113","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-26DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2025.108478
Rachel Foster , Kelly S. Bateman , Paul F. Clark , Matthew J. Green , Chantelle Hooper , Stuart H. Ross , Paul Stebbing , Georgia M. Ward , David Bass
Microsporidia are highly diverse parasites of a broad range of eukaryotic hosts in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Freshwater diversity of microsporidia and their associations with bivalves is understudied, particularly in invasive non-native hosts. In this study we use molecular methods complemented by histopathology and transmission electron microscopy to screen native and invasive bivalve species from the River Thames for the presence of microsporidia. We reveal a novel microsporidian parasite infecting the invasive Asian clam Corbicula fluminea at a high prevalence, described in this manuscript as Morrittospora corbiculae n. gen. n. sp. Histopathology showed this parasite infects epithelial cells of C. fluminea digestive gland. Molecular and histopathology investigation also demonstrated potential spillover of infection to other co-habiting bivalve species in the River Thames. We place the newly described microsporidian lineage in a phylogenetic context and discuss the potential implications of microsporidian parasites in the spread of invasive non-native species.
微孢子虫是水生和陆地生态系统中广泛存在的真核宿主的高度多样化的寄生虫。淡水微孢子虫的多样性及其与双壳类动物的关系尚未得到充分研究，特别是在入侵的非本地宿主中。在这项研究中，我们使用分子方法辅以组织病理学和透射电子显微镜来筛选来自泰晤士河的本地和入侵双壳类物种的微孢子虫的存在。我们发现了一种侵染亚洲河蚌Corbicula fluinea的新型微孢子虫，在本文中被描述为Morrittospora corbiculae n. gen. n. sp.组织病理学显示这种寄生虫侵染河蚌消化腺上皮细胞。分子和组织病理学调查还表明，感染可能会蔓延到泰晤士河中其他共存的双壳类物种。我们将新描述的微孢子虫谱系置于系统发育背景下，并讨论了微孢子虫寄生虫在入侵非本地物种传播中的潜在影响。
{"title":"Morrittospora corbiculae n. gen. n. sp., a microsporidian parasite infecting the invasive Asian clam Corbicula fluminea from the River Thames, London","authors":"Rachel Foster , Kelly S. Bateman , Paul F. Clark , Matthew J. Green , Chantelle Hooper , Stuart H. Ross , Paul Stebbing , Georgia M. Ward , David Bass","doi":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108478","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108478","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Microsporidia are highly diverse parasites of a broad range of eukaryotic hosts in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Freshwater diversity of microsporidia and their associations with bivalves is understudied, particularly in invasive non-native hosts. In this study we use molecular methods complemented by histopathology and transmission electron microscopy to screen native and invasive bivalve species from the River Thames for the presence of microsporidia. We reveal a novel microsporidian parasite infecting the invasive Asian clam <em>Corbicula fluminea</em> at a high prevalence, described in this manuscript as <em>Morrittospora corbiculae</em> n. gen. n. sp. Histopathology showed this parasite infects epithelial cells of <em>C. fluminea</em> digestive gland. Molecular and histopathology investigation also demonstrated potential spillover of infection to other co-habiting bivalve species in the River Thames. We place the newly described microsporidian lineage in a phylogenetic context and discuss the potential implications of microsporidian parasites in the spread of invasive non-native species.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16296,"journal":{"name":"Journal of invertebrate pathology","volume":"214 ","pages":"Article 108478"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145390384","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-26DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2025.108482
Gopika Bhasi , Gemma Zerna , Travis Beddoe
Spiroplasma apis and Spiroplasma melliferum are often overlooked pathogens that harm honey bee health. This study used environmental DNA (eDNA) from honey to identify these pathogens. We amplified DNA from 135 honey samples across Australia using Spiroplasma–specific PCR primers. The results revealed a high prevalence of S. melliferum (70%) across Australia, in contrast to S. apis, which was detected in 13% of samples. The findings indicate that S. melliferum is widespread in Australia, potentially threatening honey bee health. We present the first phylogenetic analysis of Australian Spiroplasma apis and Spiroplasma melliferum isolates, with Spiroplasma apis showing high similarity with reference strains from the USA, Belgium, and Taiwan, whereas Spiroplasma melliferum displays broader genetic diversity.
{"title":"Honey as an eDNA Reservoir: Detecting Spiroplasma apis and Spiroplasma melliferum in Australian honey bee populations","authors":"Gopika Bhasi , Gemma Zerna , Travis Beddoe","doi":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108482","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108482","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Spiroplasma apis</em> and <em>Spiroplasma melliferum</em> are often overlooked pathogens that harm honey bee health. This study used environmental DNA (eDNA) from honey to identify these pathogens. We amplified DNA from 135 honey samples across Australia using <em>Spiroplasma</em>–specific PCR primers. The results revealed a high prevalence of <em>S. melliferum</em> (70%) across Australia, in contrast to <em>S. apis</em>, which was detected in 13% of samples. The findings indicate that S. melliferum is widespread in Australia, potentially threatening honey bee health. We present the first phylogenetic analysis of Australian <em>Spiroplasma apis</em> and <em>Spiroplasma melliferum</em> isolates, with <em>Spiroplasma apis</em> showing high similarity with reference strains from the USA, Belgium, and Taiwan, whereas <em>Spiroplasma melliferum</em> displays broader genetic diversity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16296,"journal":{"name":"Journal of invertebrate pathology","volume":"214 ","pages":"Article 108482"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145390434","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Clionid boring sponges are pests that may colonize the shells of bivalve mollusks, including Pacific oysters (Magallana gigas). Infection with the boring sponge Pione vastifica can be associated with fitness of oysters by reducing their growth rate and survival. Microbial communities play an important role in the host’s ability to adapt and survive under disease, and they are extremely sensitive to invasions by pathogens and parasites. In this study, we compared the diversity of gill microbiomes in a group of Pacific oysters that were parasitized by the boring sponge (P. vastifica), and a control group of healthy oysters without signs of sponge presence on shells. In addition, we evaluated histopathological lesions in gills of sponge-infected oysters. The microstructure of gills was significantly damaged in oysters with the boring sponge settled on shells and showed numerous histological lesions including inflammation, necrosis and abnormalities of filaments. Abundant hemocyte infiltration indicated active immune response in respiratory tissue of infected oysters. Histopathological changes in gills were accompanied with the transition of the microbial community to disbalance state. The taxonomic diversity of symbiotic microorganisms in the infected oysters was significantly lower than in the healthy mollusks. The drastic changes at both higher and lower levels of taxonomic ranks of microorganisms were observed. These findings indicate that infection by boring sponges is associated with the substantial changes in gill microbiome and provide new insights into the effects of boring sponges on symbiotic bacterial communities within the Pacific oysters they inhabit.
{"title":"Gill microbiome and tissue microstructural damages of the Pacific oyster Magallana gigas following the infection with boring sponge Pione vastifica","authors":"A.L. Brioukhanov , E.S. Chelebieva , E.S. Kladchenko , M.S. Podolskaya , T.V. Gavruseva , A.Yu. Andreyeva","doi":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108477","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108477","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Clionid boring sponges are pests that may colonize the shells of bivalve mollusks, including Pacific oysters (<em>Magallana gigas</em>). Infection with the boring sponge <em>Pione vastifica</em> can be associated with fitness of oysters by reducing their growth rate and survival. Microbial communities play an important role in the host’s ability to adapt and survive under disease, and they are extremely sensitive to invasions by pathogens and parasites. In this study, we compared the diversity of gill microbiomes in a group of Pacific oysters that were parasitized by the boring sponge (<em>P. vastifica</em>), and a control group of healthy oysters without signs of sponge presence on shells. In addition, we evaluated histopathological lesions in gills of sponge-infected oysters. The microstructure of gills was significantly damaged in oysters with the boring sponge settled on shells and showed numerous histological lesions including inflammation, necrosis and abnormalities of filaments. Abundant hemocyte infiltration indicated active immune response in respiratory tissue of infected oysters. Histopathological changes in gills were accompanied with the transition of the microbial community to disbalance state. The taxonomic diversity of symbiotic microorganisms in the infected oysters was significantly lower than in the healthy mollusks. The drastic changes at both higher and lower levels of taxonomic ranks of microorganisms were observed. These findings indicate that infection by boring sponges is associated with the substantial changes in gill microbiome and provide new insights into the effects of boring sponges on symbiotic bacterial communities within the Pacific oysters they inhabit.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16296,"journal":{"name":"Journal of invertebrate pathology","volume":"214 ","pages":"Article 108477"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145345629","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-16DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2025.108472
Ava Sheedy, Andrew A. Davinack
Shell-boring polychaetes of the genus Polydora pose a significant threat to oyster aquaculture worldwide, yet little is known about their seasonal dynamics in tidally restricted estuaries. This study investigates the prevalence, intensity, and environmental covariates of Polydora websteri infestation in wild eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) over a 12-month period in the Herring River estuary (Cape Cod, Massachusetts), a system slated for tidal restoration. Oysters were collected monthly, and worms identified morphologically and by COI barcoding. Infestations were observed year-round, with prevalence and intensity lowest in late summer and peaking in fall-winter. Gravid females were only observed from April through August, indicating a seasonal reproductive window. The seasonal peak in visible infestation and pathology in colder months is therefore consistent with a lag between summer recruitment and subsequent shell damage. Using a Gaussian generalized linear model as a descriptive correlational tool, we observed a negative association between temperature and monthly mean intensity at this site and year; salinity and pH showed no detectable association. These associations are interpreted within the seasonal/lag context rather than as casual drivers. Overall, this work provides baseline data on seasonal Polydora dynamics in the Herring River estuary that will be essential for future, post-restoration assessments.
{"title":"Seasonal dynamics of Polydora infestation in eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) from a tidally restricted New England estuary","authors":"Ava Sheedy, Andrew A. Davinack","doi":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108472","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108472","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Shell-boring polychaetes of the genus <em>Polydora</em> pose a significant threat to oyster aquaculture worldwide, yet little is known about their seasonal dynamics in tidally restricted estuaries. This study investigates the prevalence, intensity, and environmental covariates of <em>Polydora websteri</em> infestation in wild eastern oysters (<em>Crassostrea virginica</em>) over a 12-month period in the Herring River estuary (Cape Cod, Massachusetts), a system slated for tidal restoration. Oysters were collected monthly, and worms identified morphologically and by COI barcoding. Infestations were observed year-round, with prevalence and intensity lowest in late summer and peaking in fall-winter. Gravid females were only observed from April through August, indicating a seasonal reproductive window. The seasonal peak in visible infestation and pathology in colder months is therefore consistent with a lag between summer recruitment and subsequent shell damage. Using a Gaussian generalized linear model as a descriptive correlational tool, we observed a negative association between temperature and monthly mean intensity at this site and year; salinity and pH showed no detectable association. These associations are interpreted within the seasonal/lag context rather than as casual drivers. Overall, this work provides baseline data on seasonal <em>Polydora</em> dynamics in the Herring River estuary that will be essential for future, post-restoration assessments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16296,"journal":{"name":"Journal of invertebrate pathology","volume":"214 ","pages":"Article 108472"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145318280","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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