Phylogenetic analysis of the trypanosomatid parasite Lotmaria passim in honey bees (Apis mellifera) in Poland

Maria Iller; Karolina Lipczyńska-Ilczuk; Rajmund Sokół; Grzegorz Borsuk; Agata Bancerz-Kisiel

doi:10.2478/jvetres-2024-0018

Phylogenetic analysis of the trypanosomatid parasite Lotmaria passim in honey bees (Apis mellifera) in Poland

J Vet Res. 2024 Mar 23;68(1):123-127. doi: 10.2478/jvetres-2024-0018. eCollection 2024 Mar.

Authors

Maria Iller¹, Karolina Lipczyńska-Ilczuk², Rajmund Sokół¹, Grzegorz Borsuk³, Agata Bancerz-Kisiel²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland.
² Department of Epizootiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland.
³ Department of Apidology, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, Institute of Biological Basis of Animal Production, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 20-950 Lublin, Poland.

Abstract

Introduction: Lotmaria passim (L. passim) is a single-celled flagellate which colonises the bee gastrointestinal tract and is highly prevalent in honey bees. This parasite is associated with colony losses. Honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies were sampled from five apiaries in the north-eastern part of Poland for the phylogenetic analysis of L. passim.

Material and methods: Each apiary consisted of approximately 60 bee colonies, of which 20 were randomly selected. Samples of 60 differently aged worker bees were collected from each colony and pooled. A total of 100 bee colonies from five apiaries were examined. Protozoa of the Trypanosomatidae family were identified by PCR. L. passim was detected in 47 (47%) of the samples. The 18S ribosomal (r) RNA amplicons of L. passim were sequenced by a commercial service. Their sequences were analysed with BLASTN and noted to be compatible with the GenBank sequences of this region of the organism's genome. A sequence analysis was performed using the BioEdit Sequence Alignment Editor and Clustal W software.

Results: The amplicon sequences of L. passim were 100% homologous with the sequences deposited in GenBank under accession numbers KM066243.1., KJ684964.1 and KM980181.1.

Conclusion: This is the first study to perform a phylogenetic analysis of L. passim in Polish honey bees. The analysis demonstrated high levels of genetic similarity between isolates of L. passim colonising apiaries in the north-eastern region of Poland.

Keywords: Apis mellifera; Lotmaria passim; Trypanosomatidae; bee parasite; phylogenetic analysis.