Immune priming of honey bees protects against a major microsporidian pathogen.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Honey bees face significant threats from pathogens like Nosema ceranae, a microsporidian parasite that contributes to global colony declines. Immune priming, exposure to pathogen antigens to stimulate protective responses, could mitigate infection risks. We tested whether priming honey bee larvae and adults with heat-killed N. ceranae spores reduces susceptibility to subsequent live infections in laboratory and field conditions.

Results

Priming consistently lowered infection levels and rates. The strongest effect occurred in laboratory-reared larvae, with a 97% reduction in mean spore counts relative to unprimed controls. Newly emerged adults primed and maintained in field colonies showed a 56% decrease, larvae primed by nurse bees in colonies had a 52% reduction,

SUBMITTER: Nieh JC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12618913 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature