Article
Microbiology
A-Tai Truong, Jeong Eun Kang, Mi-Sun Yoo, Thi Thu Nguyen, So-Youn Youn, Soon-Seek Yoon, Yun Sang Cho
Summary: This study identified 20 strains of Lactobacillus with antimicrobial properties against P. larvae, and three representative strains (L. apis HSY8_B25, L. panisapium PKH2_L3, and L. melliventris HSY3_B5) were evaluated as potential probiotic candidates for the prevention of AFB.
Article
Microbiology
Kirk J. Grubbs, Daniel S. May, Joseph A. Sardina, Renee K. Dermenjian, Thomas P. Wyche, Adrian A. Pinto-Tomas, Jon Clardy, Cameron R. Currie
Summary: Research suggests that honey bees may use Actinobacteria derived from pollen and their associated small molecules to maintain colony health, particularly exhibiting inhibitory activity against Paenibacillus larvae, the causative agent of American foulbrood.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Stefano Bassi, Giorgio Galletti, Emanuele Carpana, Stefano Palminteri, Filippo Bosi, Giulio Loglio, Elena Carra
Summary: This study investigated the identification of P. larvae infection levels in honey bee colonies through the examination of powdered sugar samples collected in hives. The results showed that spore counting in sugar samples can effectively determine the infection levels and aid in the control of American Foulbrood.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Virology
Ewa Jonczyk-Matysiak, Barbara Owczarek, Ewa Popiela, Kinga Switala-Jelen, Pawel Migdal, Martyna Cieslik, Norbert Lodej, Dominika Kula, Joanna Neuberg, Katarzyna Hodyra-Stefaniak, Marta Kaszowska, Filip Orwat, Natalia Baginska, Anna Mucha, Agnieszka Belter, Miroslawa Skupinska, Barbara Bubak, Wojciech Fortuna, Slawomir Letkiewicz, Pawel Chorbinski, Beata Weber-Dabrowska, Adam Roman, Andrzej Gorski
Summary: The study aimed to isolate and characterize phages active against Paenibacillus larvae in lab conditions, and develop a preparation to prevent and treat American Foulbrood. 35 Paenibacillus strains were obtained from over 2500 samples, and five specific phages were isolated from them. Preliminary safety studies on healthy bees suggest the phage preparation administered is harmless.
Review
Infectious Diseases
Fatma Abdelrahman, Maheswaran Easwaran, Oluwasegun I. Daramola, Samar Ragab, Stephanie Lynch, Tolulope J. Oduselu, Fazal Mehmood Khan, Akomolafe Ayobami, Fazal Adnan, Eduard Torrents, Swapnil Sanmukh, Ayman El-Shibiny
Summary: Endolysins have emerged as a potential alternative therapeutic approach against antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections, showing promising results in laboratory settings. However, further research is needed to understand their resistance, safety, and immunogenicity for in-vivo application.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Michael W. Zabrodski, Jessica E. DeBruyne, Geoff Wilson, Igor Moshynskyy, Mohsen Sharafi, Sarah C. Wood, Ivanna Kozii, Jenna Thebeau, Colby D. Klein, Igor Medici de Mattos, LaRhonda Sobchishin, Tasha Epp, Antonio C. Ruzzini, Elemir Simko
Summary: This study in three commercial honey bee operations in Canada found outbreaks of American foulbrood (AFB) and metaphylactic antibiotic use may lead to spore contamination in hives. The study compared different sample types within hives and found honey collected from honey supers could be a good surrogate for detecting spore contamination. Additionally, pooled, extracted honey had predictive potential for overall spore contamination and assessing the risk of future AFB outbreaks.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Brendan A. Daisley, Andrew P. Pitek, Elizabeth Mallory, Anna M. Chernyshova, Emma Allen-Vercoe, Gregor Reid, Graham J. Thompson
Summary: This study investigates the causal agent of American foulbrood (AFB), Paenibacillus larvae, a spore-forming bacterial entomopathogen that is deadly and incurable for honey bee colonies when active, but can persist asymptomatically for years in its dormant spore form. The study highlights the overlooked role of microbiota factors in the transition from spore to vegetative growth and offers insights on the collaborative and competitive interactions between P. larvae and other honey bee-adapted microorganisms. Additionally, it proposes probiotic and microbiota management strategies for sustainable control of AFB, considering the health trade-offs associated with chronic antibiotic exposure.
TRENDS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Julia Ebeling, Anne Fuenfhaus, Elke Genersch
Summary: Paenibacillus larvae is the etiological agent of American Foulbrood, a serious honey bee brood disease. The species has five ERIC-genotypes with differences in virulence. Several virulence factors, including ADP-ribosylating toxins Plx1, Plx2, and C3larvin, have been identified, providing insights into the molecular basis of pathogen-host interactions during P. larvae infections.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Julia Ebeling, Franziska Pieper, Josefine Goebel, Henriette Knispel, Michael McCarthy, Monica Goncalves, Madison Turner, Allan Rod Merrill, Elke Genersch
Summary: Recent research has identified potential drugs against American Foulbrood, but these drugs did not have a significant impact on honey bee larvae mortality in experiments. This suggests that the pathogenesis strategies of American Foulbrood may be too complex to be effectively disarmed through anti-virulence strategies targeting a single virulence factor.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Timur Bulatov, Sebastian Gensel, Andi Mainz, Tam Dang, Timm O. Koller, Kerstin Voigt, Julia Ebeling, Daniel N. Wilson, Elke Genersch, Roderich D. Suessmuth
Summary: The study reports the total synthesis and structural revision of paenilamicin B2, highlighting the N-terminal fragment as an important pharmacophore, and conducts biological activity evaluation and competition experiments with bacterial competitors in the ecological niche. It also presents data classifying paenilamicins as potential ribosome inhibitors, contributing to a better understanding of the pathogenicity of P. larvae and paving the way for future structure-activity relationship and mode-of-action studies.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Mariko Okamoto, Masahiko Kumagai, Hiroyuki Kanamori, Daisuke Takamatsu
Summary: American foulbrood (AFB) is a serious bacterial disease of honey bee brood caused by Paenibacillus larvae, with tylosin being used in Japan as a prophylactic. Resistance genes in honey may lead to the emergence of tylosin-resistant P. larvae, as shown by isolating tylosin-resistant bacteria from Japanese honey samples and identifying macrolide resistance genes present on mobile genetic elements. Monitoring bacteria in honey could help predict and prevent the selection of resistant strains of P. larvae.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Florine Ory, Vincent Dietemann, Anne Guisolan, Ueli von Ah, Charlotte Fleuti, Simone Oberhaensli, Jean Daniel Charriere, Benjamin Dainat
Summary: A novel strain 2.1(T) of the genus Paenibacillus, a facultatively anaerobic, Gram-stain-positive, motile, and endospore-forming bacterium, was isolated from diseased Apis mellifera in Switzerland. The strain showed unique characteristics and distinct genomic differences from other closely related species, leading to the proposal of a new species, Paenibacillus melissococcoides.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC AND EVOLUTIONARY MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Darja Kusar, Bojan Papic, Urska Zajc, Irena Zdovc, Majda Golob, Lucija Zvokelj, Tanja Knific, Jana Avbersek, Matjaz Ocepek, Metka Pislak Ocepek
Summary: American foulbrood (AFB) is a severe bacterial disease of honeybees caused by Paenibacillus larvae. Detection of P. larvae spore counts can help identify at-risk colonies early, with the newly developed qPCR assay proving to be reliable at detecting and quantifying P. larvae even at low spore counts.
Article
Agronomy
Bartosz Piechowicz, Aleksandra Kwiatek, Stanislaw Sadlo, Lech Zareba, Anna Koziorowska, Daniela Kloc, Maciej Balawejder
Summary: Paenibacillus larvae is a deadly pathogen for bee brood, and the presence of specific volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the hive may be related to its occurrence. A study compared the compositions of VOCs in healthy brood and infected brood using GC-MS and SPME, and found that the concentrations of 3-carene and limonene differentiated the brood from healthy and infected colonies. The number of emitted VOCs also differentiated the samples.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Joseph Kiriamburi, Jamleck Muturi, Julius Mugweru, Eva Forsgren, Anna Nilsson
Summary: This study compared the biocidal effects of two commercially available disinfectants, Disinfection for Beekeeping and Virkon S, on Paenibacillus larvae. The results showed that Disinfection for Beekeeping had a higher biocidal effect on P. larvae in suspension, while Virkon S had a better effect on P. larvae on Styrofoam material. The two disinfectants had similar effects on infected wood material.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2022)
Editorial Material
Immunology
Hubert Krotkiewski, Michal Zimecki, Andrzej Gorski
ARCHIVUM IMMUNOLOGIAE ET THERAPIAE EXPERIMENTALIS
(2022)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Anna Zyman, Andrzej Gorski, Ryszard Miedzybrodzki
Summary: Phages are viruses that can specifically infect and destroy bacteria, showing potential for eradicating wound-associated infections. Phage therapy may be an effective treatment with advantages over current antibacterial treatments, minimizing bacterial resistance and demonstrating synergism with antibiotics. However, further research is needed to determine the optimal dosage and promote phage therapy in modern medicine.
FOLIA MICROBIOLOGICA
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Agnieszka Murawska, Pawel Migdal, Barbara Zajdel, Ewa Popiela, Adam Roman
Summary: This study aimed to determine the proximate composition, gross energy, and amino acid amounts and mineral content in red mason bee Osmia bicornis cocoons. It found that the cocoons mainly consist of crude protein, with significant amounts of crude fiber and minerals, and contain 18 amino acids, including 39% of essential amino acids. The unique composition of Osmia bicornis cocoons may indicate their special properties compared to other sources of dietary fiber in insect products.
JOURNAL OF APICULTURAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Andrzej Gorski, Jan Borysowski, Ryszard Miedzybrodzki
JOURNAL OF GLOBAL ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE
(2022)
Article
Virology
Maciej Zaczek, Andrzej Gorski, Beata Weber-Dabrowska, Slawomir Letkiewicz, Wojciech Fortuna, Pawel Rogoz, Edyta Pasternak, Ryszard Miedzybrodzki
Summary: This article reviews the 15-year operation of the Phage Therapy Unit in Poland, including its origins, legal adjustments, and the number and diversity of treated cases.
Review
Infectious Diseases
Jan Kowalski, Renata Gorska, Martyna Cieslik, Andrzej Gorski, Ewa Jonczyk-Matysiak
Summary: Periodontitis, a serious medical and social problem, can lead to tooth loss and contribute to the development of various diseases. The search for and isolation of bacteriophages specific to the bacteria causing periodontitis is seen as a great opportunity to address persistent colonization by bacterial pathogens and reduce the use of antibiotics to limit antibiotic resistance.
Review
Agronomy
Katarzyna Olejnik, Ewa Popiela, Sebastian Opalinski
Summary: A new approach to improve welfare in the poultry sector focuses on precise management through the use of technology solutions. Precision livestock farming (PLF) allows real-time data collection to prevent declining animal welfare and enhance control and monitoring efficiency.
Article
Virology
Martyna Cieslik, Marek Harhala, Filip Orwat, Krystyna Dabrowska, Andrzej Gorski, Ewa Jonczyk-Matysiak
Summary: In this study, two newly isolated myoviruses that can lyse multidrug-resistant Enterobacter spp. were characterized. These phages belong to a poorly represented phage group and show potential for therapeutic use against urinary tract infections.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Damian Konkol, Ewa Popiela, Dawid Skrzypczak, Grzegorz Izydorczyk, Katarzyna Mikula, Konstantinos Moustakas, Sebastian Opalinski, Mariusz Korczynski, Anna Witek-Krowiak, Katarzyna Chojnacka
Summary: This study highlights the harmful emissions from intensive poultry farming and examines the characteristics and toxicity of the released chemical compounds. It recommends methods of deodorization and discusses the current air treatment techniques used in poultry farms, as well as the innovative solutions in the research and development phase.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Marzanna Lusiak-Szelachowska, Ryszard Miedzybrodzki, Pawel Rogoz, Beata Weber-Dabrowska, Maciej Zaczek, Andrzej Gorski
Summary: Phage therapy may induce an immune response and production of neutralizing antibodies. The presence of these antibodies can affect the success of therapy, but it does not necessarily guarantee failure. On the other hand, phage-antibody complexes may cause tissue damage and late complications, highlighting the importance of monitoring antibody levels and discontinuing therapy if necessary.
Article
Virology
Natalia Baginska, Marek Adam Harhala, Martyna Cieslik, Filip Orwat, Beata Weber-Dabrowska, Krystyna Dabrowska, Andrzej Gorski, Ewa Jonczyk-Matysiak
Summary: Infections with multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii pose a serious threat. Phage therapy is a promising alternative for treating these infections. This study isolated and characterized 12 phages specific for A. baumannii, providing valuable tools for fighting against this pathogen and boosting interest in phage therapy as an alternative to antibiotics.
Review
Cell Biology
Marzanna Lusiak-Szelachowska, Ryszard Miedzybrodzki, Zuzanna Drulis-Kawa, Kathryn Cater, Petar Knezevic, Cyprian Winogradow, Karolina Amaro, Ewa Jonczyk-Matysiak, Beata Weber-Dabrowska, Justyna Rekas, Andrzej Gorski
Summary: Combining phages with antibiotics can enhance bacterial clearance and reduce biofilm formation, demonstrating a synergistic effect. Some studies have also shown that antibiotics can induce the production of phages by bacteria. In clinical applications, simultaneous treatment with phages and antibiotics has been found to improve treatment outcomes.
JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE
(2022)
