First report on isolation and characterization of Bacillus Sp. associated with honey bee brood disease
Abstract Bacterial infections in honey bee brood pose a significant threat to bee populations, leading to decreased honey production and disrupting critical crop pollination networks. While Paenibacillus larvae and Melissococcus plutonius are well-established as major pathogens of honey bee eggs and...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-04-01
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| author | Shazia Amin Adil Khan Nasreen Nasreen Shakir Ullah Sadaf Niaz Imtiaz Ahmad Ioannis A. Giantsis Denekew Temesgen Khalid S. Almaary Mohammed Bourhia |
| author_facet | Shazia Amin Adil Khan Nasreen Nasreen Shakir Ullah Sadaf Niaz Imtiaz Ahmad Ioannis A. Giantsis Denekew Temesgen Khalid S. Almaary Mohammed Bourhia |
| author_sort | Shazia Amin |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Bacterial infections in honey bee brood pose a significant threat to bee populations, leading to decreased honey production and disrupting critical crop pollination networks. While Paenibacillus larvae and Melissococcus plutonius are well-established as major pathogens of honey bee eggs and larvae, the presence of other harmful bacteria in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province of Pakistan remains largely unexplored. Molecular characterization of Bacillus species and B. cereus isolates revealed the presence of key virulence genes, including the cry gene, known for its insecticidal properties. The ability of B. cereus to produce cytotoxins, haemolysins, and enterotoxins raises concerns about its impact on larval immunity and survival. Similarly, B. mycoides, a close relative of B. cereus, was identified in diseased broods, highlighting its potential involvement in microbial dysbiosis within the hive. Reports from North America and Europe have also linked these Bacillus species to declining honey bee health, emphasizing the need for further investigation into their pathogenic mechanisms. This study investigated bacterial contamination in broods collected from infected beehives across various cities of KPK. Biochemical and molecular analyses revealed a widespread presence of bacteria the Bacillus species, as the emerging most dominant, followed by Bacillus cereus. Phylogenetic analysis indicated a close evolutionary relationship between Bacillus species, and Bacillus cereus, highlighting their shared spore-forming characteristics. This research is the first to report the involvement of Bacillus species in infecting honey bee eggs and larvae, shedding light on a previously unrecognized threat to apiculture and pollination in the region. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4abd40e7e94e489e8b38c75fd6777516 |
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| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-4abd40e7e94e489e8b38c75fd67775162025-08-20T01:47:29ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-04-0115111110.1038/s41598-025-96128-xFirst report on isolation and characterization of Bacillus Sp. associated with honey bee brood diseaseShazia Amin0Adil Khan1Nasreen Nasreen2Shakir Ullah3Sadaf Niaz4Imtiaz Ahmad5Ioannis A. Giantsis6Denekew Temesgen7Khalid S. Almaary8Mohammed Bourhia9Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University MardanDepartment of Botany, Bacha Khan University CharsaddaDepartment of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University MardanDepartment of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University MardanDepartment of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University MardanDepartment of Botany, Bacha Khan University CharsaddaDepartment of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Environment, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Central MacedoniaDepartment of Biology, Bahir Dar UniversityDepartment of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud UniversityLaboratory of Biotechnology and Natural Resources Valorization, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr UniversityAbstract Bacterial infections in honey bee brood pose a significant threat to bee populations, leading to decreased honey production and disrupting critical crop pollination networks. While Paenibacillus larvae and Melissococcus plutonius are well-established as major pathogens of honey bee eggs and larvae, the presence of other harmful bacteria in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province of Pakistan remains largely unexplored. Molecular characterization of Bacillus species and B. cereus isolates revealed the presence of key virulence genes, including the cry gene, known for its insecticidal properties. The ability of B. cereus to produce cytotoxins, haemolysins, and enterotoxins raises concerns about its impact on larval immunity and survival. Similarly, B. mycoides, a close relative of B. cereus, was identified in diseased broods, highlighting its potential involvement in microbial dysbiosis within the hive. Reports from North America and Europe have also linked these Bacillus species to declining honey bee health, emphasizing the need for further investigation into their pathogenic mechanisms. This study investigated bacterial contamination in broods collected from infected beehives across various cities of KPK. Biochemical and molecular analyses revealed a widespread presence of bacteria the Bacillus species, as the emerging most dominant, followed by Bacillus cereus. Phylogenetic analysis indicated a close evolutionary relationship between Bacillus species, and Bacillus cereus, highlighting their shared spore-forming characteristics. This research is the first to report the involvement of Bacillus species in infecting honey bee eggs and larvae, shedding light on a previously unrecognized threat to apiculture and pollination in the region.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-96128-xHoney beePaenibacillus larvaeBacillus speciesBacillus cereusPollinationPhylogenetic analysis |
| spellingShingle | Shazia Amin Adil Khan Nasreen Nasreen Shakir Ullah Sadaf Niaz Imtiaz Ahmad Ioannis A. Giantsis Denekew Temesgen Khalid S. Almaary Mohammed Bourhia First report on isolation and characterization of Bacillus Sp. associated with honey bee brood disease Scientific Reports Honey bee Paenibacillus larvae Bacillus species Bacillus cereus Pollination Phylogenetic analysis |
| title | First report on isolation and characterization of Bacillus Sp. associated with honey bee brood disease |
| title_full | First report on isolation and characterization of Bacillus Sp. associated with honey bee brood disease |
| title_fullStr | First report on isolation and characterization of Bacillus Sp. associated with honey bee brood disease |
| title_full_unstemmed | First report on isolation and characterization of Bacillus Sp. associated with honey bee brood disease |
| title_short | First report on isolation and characterization of Bacillus Sp. associated with honey bee brood disease |
| title_sort | first report on isolation and characterization of bacillus sp associated with honey bee brood disease |
| topic | Honey bee Paenibacillus larvae Bacillus species Bacillus cereus Pollination Phylogenetic analysis |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-96128-x |
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