Viral infections alter antennal epithelium ultrastructure in honey bees

Abstract

Varroa destructor and its associated viruses, in particular deformed wing virus (DWV), have been identified as probable causes of honey bee (Apis mellif era L.) colony losses. Evidence suggests that elevated DWV titres in bees could compromise sensory and communication abilities resulting in negative consequences for hygienic behaviour. As antennae play a central role in this behaviour, we compared antenna! ultrastructure in DWV-symptomatic and asymptomatic bees. The results show that virus capsids accumulate in the basal regions of the antennal epithelium, close to the haemolymph. No virus particles were detected at the level of sensory sensilla, such as pore plates, nor within the sensory cell dendrites associated with these sensilla. However, membranous structures appeared to be more prevalent in supporting cells surrounding the dendrites of DWV-symptomatic bees. Para-crystalline arrays containing large numbers of virus particles were detected in the antennae of DWV-symptomatic bees but not in asymptomatic bees.

Keywords

Apis mellifera; Deformed wing virus; Viral infection; Antennal structure; Electron microscopy; Honey bees; Antennae; Ultrastructure; Virus particles; Crystalline arrays

Published in

Journal of Invertebrate Pathology
2019, Volume: 168, article number: 107252

SLU Authors

• Rodrigues de Miranda, Joachim

  • Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Cell Biology
Zoology
Behavioral Sciences Biology


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jip.2019.107252

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/103333