Written by Jacob Liu | Edited by Alexander Alva
Photo by Kat Smith
When thinking about vaccines, one might envision a skillful nurse wielding a hypodermic needle in a clinical setting. One certainly doesn’t think about the honeybees fluttering about outside, much less whether they are staying up to date on their vaccine shots. In January of 2023 however, honeybee vaccines became the buzz in the news as the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the same agency that grades steak cuts of beef, approved a conditional license for a vaccine for honeybees developed by biotech company, Dalan Animal Health [1]. This honeybee vaccine signifies an iconic scientific first for insects at large, as it specifically confers protection against American foulbrood (AFB), an aggressive bacterial disease caused by Paenibacillus larvae [2]. This novel vaccine sets a precedent for further development of vaccine research for insects, expanding the sphere of human influence on the environment. Thanks to the honeybee vaccine, researchers have helped mitigate the pathogenic effects of this brood bacteria, and allowed for improved honeybee hive population growth and ecological stability.
American foulbrood, commonly called severe bee rot, spreads through spores that infect entire colonies, which kill honeybee larvae and pupae by reducing them to brown goo with a characteristic rancid odor [3]. Prior to vaccine development, the predominant treatment consisted of antibiotics, but proved too expensive, limited in effectiveness, and negated any organic label of honey produced [4]. Consequently, these drawbacks forced beekeepers to burn infected hives and cut their losses. AFB negatively affects the agricultural industry by limiting honey production as a direct consequence, accompanied by greater implications such as worldwide ecological instability [5] [6]. Along with other factors decimating honeybee populations such as colony collapse disorder; changing climate conditions; and agricultural pesticide use, AFB falls under diseases and pests that have been subject to intensive research based on the importance of honeybees as pollinators in industrial agriculture and ecological contexts [7].
This honeybee vaccine is not a traditional injection like humans are familiar with: it is administered orally. Heat-inactivated Paenibacillus larvae bacteria were suspended in a mixture of queen bee royal jelly feed [8]. When the queen bee eats the jelly, she ingests bacterial fragments, which then deposit into her ovaries and eventually end up in the honeybee eggs. This process, known as trans-generational immune priming (TGIP), leads to her offspring gaining immunity against the bacteria as the larvae develop an immune response from this exposure even before hatching [9]. TGIP as a method of honeybee vaccination has been shown to prime offspring against persisting pathogens, which enhances colony health, increases hive protection from disease, and reduces the financial losses of commercial beekeeping. Additionally, the honeybee vaccine is not genetically modified and can be used in organic agriculture practices [10].
While not the first instance of human involvement with the affairs of other organisms and their wellbeing, the appropriate precautions and practices must be taken with honeybee vaccine usage to prevent unintended ecological disaster. It remains essential to note that Dalan Animal Health only has a conditional USDA license for their honeybee vaccine based on the emergency situation, limited market, and special circumstances. To this end, the honeybee vaccine provisionally remains strictly regulated before its effectiveness is further evaluated for conditional renewal or promotion to regular product license [4]. The optimistic hope is that in the wake of stunning honeybee population loss for known and unknown reasons, the honeybee vaccine may help slow or even turn the tide in favor of our beloved bees.
References:
1. Baker, Aryn. “A Vaccine With No Sting.” TIME, TIME USA, LLC, 24 Oct. 2023, time.com/collection/best-inventions-2023/6324556/dalan-honey-bee-american-foulbrood-vaccine. Accessed 1 Nov. 2023.
2. “Honeybee vaccine receives conditional license from USDA.” American Veterinary Medical Association News, American Veterinary Medical Association, 24 Jan. 2023, www.avma.org/news/honeybee-vaccine-receives-conditional-license-usda. Accessed 3 Nov. 2023.
3. Matović, K., Žarković, A., Debeljak, Z., Vidanović, D., Vasković, N., Tešović, B., Ćirić, J. (2023). American Foulbrood—Old and Always New Challenge. Veterinary Sciences, 10(3):180.
4. Kuta, Sarah. “The World’s First Vaccine for Honeybees Is Here.” Smart News, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Jan. 2023, www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/the-worlds-first-vaccine-for-honeybees-is-here-180981400. Accessed 2 Nov. 2023.
5. Kite-Powell, Jennifer. “This Is The First Vaccine For Honey Bees To Stop American Foulbrood.” Forbes, OpenWeb, 27 June 2023, www.forbes.com/sites/jenniferhicks/2023/06/27/this-is-the-first-vaccine-for-honey-bees-to-stop-american-foulbrood. Accessed 2 Nov. 2023.
6. Nekoei, S., Rezvan, M., Khamesipour, F., Mayack, C., Molento, M.B., Revainera, P.D. (2023). A systematic review of honey bee (Apis mellifera, Linnaeus, 1758) infections and available treatment options. Veterinary Medicine and Science, 9(4):1848-1860.
7. Hristov, P., Shumkova, R., Palova, N., Neov, B. (2020). Factors Associated with Honey Bee Colony Losses: A Mini-Review. Veterinary Sciences, 7(4):166.
8. Dickel, F., Bos, N.M.P., Hughes, H., Martín-Hernández, R., Higes, M., Kleiser, A., Freitak, D. (2022). The oral vaccination with Paenibacillus larvae bacterin can decrease susceptibility to American Foulbrood infection in honey bees—A safety and efficacy study. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 9:946237.
9. Leponiemi, M., Wirta, H., Freitak, D. (2023). Trans-generational immune priming against American Foulbrood does not affect the performance of honeybee colonies. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 10:1129701.
10. Archie, Ayana. “A biotech firm says the U.S. has approved its vaccine for honeybees.” NPR, NPR, 6 Jan. 2023, www.npr.org/2023/01/06/1147342961/honeybee-population-vaccine. Accessed 1 Nov. 2023.