Lactobacillus spp. attenuate antibiotic-induced immune and microbiota dysregulation in honey bees.

ABSTRACT: Widespread antibiotic usage in apiculture contributes substantially to the global dissemination of antimicrobial resistance and has the potential to negatively influence bacterial symbionts of honey bees (Apis mellifera). Here, we show that routine antibiotic administration with oxytetracycline selectively increased tetB (efflux pump resistance gene) abundance in the gut microbiota of adult workers while concurrently depleting several key symbionts known to regulate immune function and nutrient metabolism such as Frischella perrera and Lactobacillus Firm-5 strains. These microbial changes were functionally characterized by decreased capped brood counts (marker of hive nutritional status and productivity) and reduced antimicrobial capacity of adult hemolymph (indicator of immune competence)

SUBMITTER: Daisley BA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7519052 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature