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Regurgitated pellets of Merops apiaster as fomites of infective Nosema ceranae (Microsporidia) spores
Author(s) -
Higes Mariano,
MartínHernández Raquel,
GarridoBailón Encarna,
Botías Cristina,
GarcíaPalencia Pilar,
Meana Aránzazu
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
environmental microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.954
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1462-2920
pISSN - 1462-2912
DOI - 10.1111/j.1462-2920.2007.01548.x
Subject(s) - biology , microsporidia , nosema ceranae , spore , nosema , zoology , parasite hosting , infectivity , virology , microbiology and biotechnology , virus , world wide web , computer science
Summary The importance of transmission factor identification is of great epidemiological significance. The bee‐eater ( Merops apiaster ) is a widely distributed insectivorous bird, locally abundant mainly in arid and semi‐arid areas of southern Europe, northern Africa and western Asia but recently has been seen breeding in central Europe and Great Britain. Bee‐eaters predominantly eat insects, especially bees, wasps and hornets. On the other hand, Nosema ceranae is a Microsporidia recently described as a parasite in Apis mellifera honeybees in Europe. Due to the short time since its description scarce epidemiological data are available. In this study we investigate the role of the regurgitated pellets of the European bee‐eater as fomites of infective spores of N. ceranae. Spore detection in regurgitated pellets of M. apiaster is described [phase‐contrast microscopy (PCM) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods]. Eighteen days after collection N. ceranae spores still remain viable and their infectivity is shown after artificial infection of Nosema ‐free 8‐day‐old adult bees. The epidemiological consequences of the presence of Nosema spores in this fomites are discussed.