Immune related genes as markers for monitoring health status of honey bee colonies
Investigación publicada en BMC Veterinary Research
4 de marzo de 2019
Background
Honey bee population decline threatens the beekeeping sector, agriculture and global biodiversity. Early detection of colony mortality may facilitate rapid interventions to contain and prevent mortality spread. Among others, deformed wing virus (DWV) is capable of inducing colony losses, especially when combined with Varroa destructor mite. Since the bee immune system plays a crucial role in ensuring that bees are able to face these pathogens, we explored whether expression of immune genes could serve as biomarkers of colony health.
Results
Herein, we describe a preliminary immunological marker composed of two immune genes (relish and defensin), which provide insight on honey bee antiviral defense mechanism. Of the tested genes, relish expression correlated with the presence of DWV-Varroa complex, while decreased defensin expression correlated with poor resistance to this complex.
Conclusions
The monitoring of these genes may help us to better understand the complex physiology of honey bees’s immune system and to develop new approaches for managing the health impacts of DWV infection and varroa infestation in the field
Barroso-Arevalo S., Vicente-Rubiano M., Puerta F., Molero F. y Sanchez-Vizcaino JM..
 | Servicio de Inmunología Viral y Medicina Preventiva (SUAT). Centro de Vigilancia Sanitaria Veterinaria (VISAVET). Universidad Complutense (UCM). |
| Departamento de Sanidad Animal. Facultad de Veterinaria. Universidad Complutense (UCM). |
| Apicultural Reference Center in Andalusia (CERA). | |
