Synergistic parasite-pathogen interactions mediated by host immunity can drive the collapse of honeybee colonies.

ABSTRACT: The health of the honeybee and, indirectly, global crop production are threatened by several biotic and abiotic factors, which play a poorly defined role in the induction of widespread colony losses. Recent descriptive studies suggest that colony losses are often related to the interaction between pathogens and other stress factors, including parasites. Through an integrated analysis of the population and molecular changes associated with the collapse of honeybee colonies infested by the parasitic mite Varroa destructor, we show that this parasite can de-stabilise the within-host dynamics of Deformed wing virus (DWV), transforming a cryptic and vertically transmitted virus into a rapidly replicating killer, which attains lethal levels late in the season. The de-stabilisation of DWV infecti

SUBMITTER: Nazzi F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3375299 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature