Several studies have shown how pathogens can cause immunosuppression
in infected honeybees. For example, infection with the
microsporidian parasite Nosema ceranae significantly suppressed
the honeybee immune response (Antúnez et al., 2009) and honeybees
parasitized by Varroa mites showed significant down-regulation
of immune-related transcripts (Gregory et al., 2005). In
addition, suppression of the immune system may favor replication
of viruses, such as deformed wing virus (Gregory et al., 2005; Yang
and Cox-Foster, 2005). Because immune suppression would likely
increase susceptibility to other honeybee pathogens, the LAB associated
immune activation demonstrated in this study could be
used to decrease the harmful impact of pathogens on honeybee
health.
By using LAB as probiotics, it may be possible to prevent the
establishment of antibiotic resistance, and at the same time, produce
antibiotic-free honeybee products. Thus, the LAB assayed in
this study could potentially be used in the control of honeybee bacterial
pathogens in apiculture