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Fulltext Can egg yolk antibodies terminate the CSBV infection in apiculture?

Li A, Wang Q, Huang Y, Hu L, Li S, Wang Q, et al.

Virus Res, 2023 Apr 15;328:199080.
PMID: 36882131 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2023.199080

Chinese sacbrood virus (CSBV) is the most severe pathogen of Apis cerana, which leads to serious fatal diseases in bee colonies and eventual catastrophe for the Chinese beekeeping industry. Additionally, CSBV can potentially infect Apis mellifera by bridging the species barrier and significantly affect the productivity of the honey industry. Although several approaches, such as feeding royal jelly, traditional Chinese medicine, and double-stranded RNA treatments, have been employed to suppress CSBV infection, their practical applicabilities are constrained due to their poor effectiveness. In recent years, specific egg yolk antibodies (EYA) have been increasingly utilized in passive immunotherapy for infectious diseases without any side effects. According to both laboratory research and practical use, EYA have demonstrated superior protection for bees against CSBV infection. This review provided an in-depth analysis of the issues and drawbacks in this field in addition to provide a thorough summary of current advancements in CSBV studies. Some promising strategies for the synergistic study of EYA against CSBV, including the exploitation of novel antibody drugs, novel TCM monomer/formula determination, and development of nucleotide drugs, are also proposed in this review. Furthermore, the prospects for the future perspectives of EYA research and applications are presented. Collectively, EYA would terminate CSBV infection soon, as well as will provide scientific guidance and references to control and manage other viral infections in apiculture.

Matched MeSH terms: Bees
Evaluation of royal jelly as an alternative to fetal bovine serum in cell culture using cell proliferation assays and live cell imaging

Musa M, Nasir NF, Thirumulu KP

Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med, 2014;11(1):148-55.
PMID: 24653569

Royal jelly is a nutritious substance produced by the young nurse bees and contains significant amounts of proteins which are important for cell growth and proliferation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of royal jelly as an alternative to fetal bovine serum (FBS) in cell culture using cell proliferation assays and live cell imaging.

Matched MeSH terms: Bees*
Fulltext The sex determination gene shows no founder effect in the giant honey bee, Apis dorsata

Liu ZY, Wang ZL, Yan WY, Wu XB, Zeng ZJ, Huang ZY

PLoS One, 2012;7(4):e34436.
PMID: 22511940 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0034436

All honey bee species (Apis spp) share the same sex determination mechanism using the complementary sex determination (csd) gene. Only individuals heterogeneous at the csd allele develop into females, and the homozygous develop into diploid males, which do not survive. The honeybees are therefore under selection pressure to generate new csd alleles. Previous studies have shown that the csd gene is under balancing selection. We hypothesize that due to the long separation from the mainland of Hainan Island, China, that the giant honey bees (Apis dorsata) should show a founder effect for the csd gene, with many different alleles clustered together, and these would be absent on the mainland.

Matched MeSH terms: Bees/genetics*
Fulltext Acute renal failure due to multiple bee stings--case reports

Ramanathan M, Lam HS

Med J Malaysia, 1990 Dec;45(4):344-6.
PMID: 2152058

This report deals with a father and his son who developed acute renal failure following multiple bee stings. The renal lesion in these patients appears to be due to rhabdomyolysis caused by the bee venom. The other mechanisms are also discussed. The need for clinicians to be aware of acute renal failure as a complication of bee stings is stressed.

Matched MeSH terms: Bees*
Fulltext Characterization of major allergens of royal jelly Apis mellifera

Rosmilah M, Shahnaz M, Patel G, Lock J, Rahman D, Masita A, et al.

Trop Biomed, 2008 Dec;25(3):243-51.
PMID: 19287364 MyJurnal

Royal jelly is widely consumed in the community and has perceived benefits ranging from promoting growth in children and improvement of general health status to enhancement of longevity for the elderly. However, royal jelly consumption has been linked to contact dermatitis, acute asthma, anaphylaxis and death. High prevalence of positive skin tests to royal jelly have been reported among atopic populations in countries with a high rate of royal jelly consumption. The present study is aimed to identify the major allergens of royal jelly. Royal jelly extract was separated by sodium dodecyl polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and 2-dimensional electrophoresis (2-D). Immunoblotting of the SDS-PAGE and 2-D profiles were performed to identify the allergenic spots. Spots were then excised from the 2-D gel, digested with trypsin and analyzed by mass spectrometry. The SDS-PAGE of royal jelly extract revealed 18 bands between 10 to 167 kD. Western blot of the fractionated proteins detected 15 IgE-binding bands between 14 to 127 kD with seven major allergens of 32, 40, 42, 49, 55, 60 and 67 kD using serum from 53 subjects with royal jelly allergy. The 2-D gel fractionated the royal jelly proteins to more than 50 different protein spots. Out of these, 30 spots demonstrated specific IgE affinity to the sera tested. Eight spots of the major royal jelly allergens were selected for mass-spectrometry analysis. Digested tryptic peptides of the spots were compared to the amino acid sequence search in protein databases which identified the fragments of royal jelly homologus to major royal jelly protein 1 (MRJ1) and major royal jelly protein 2 (MRJ2). In conclusion, the major allergens of royal jelly are MRJ1 and MRJ2 in our patients' population.

Matched MeSH terms: Bees/immunology*
Provenance Establishment of Stingless Bee Honey Using Multi-element Analysis in Combination with Chemometrics Techniques

Shadan AF, Mahat NA, Wan Ibrahim WA, Ariffin Z, Ismail D

J Forensic Sci, 2018 Jan;63(1):80-85.
PMID: 28383137 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.13512

As consumption of stingless bee honey has been gaining popularity in many countries including Malaysia, ability to identify accurately its geographical origin proves pertinent for investigating fraudulent activities for consumer protection. Because a chemical signature can be location-specific, multi-element distribution patterns may prove useful for provenancing such product. Using the inductively coupled-plasma optical emission spectrometer as well as principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA), the distributions of multi-elements in stingless bee honey collected at four different geographical locations (North, West, East, and South) in Johor, Malaysia, were investigated. While cross-validation using PCA demonstrated 87.0% correct classification rate, the same was improved (96.2%) with the use of LDA, indicating that discrimination was possible for the different geographical regions. Therefore, utilization of multi-element analysis coupled with chemometrics techniques for assigning the provenance of stingless bee honeys for forensic applications is supported.

Matched MeSH terms: Bees*
Fulltext Botanical Origin Differentiation of Malaysian Stingless Bee Honey Produced by Heterotrigona itama and Geniotrigona thoracica Using Chemometrics

Ng WJ, Sit NW, Ooi PA, Ee KY, Lim TM

Molecules, 2021 Dec 16;26(24).
PMID: 34946710 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26247628

Stingless bee honey, specifically honeydew honey, is generally valued for its better health benefits than those of most blossom types. However, scientific studies about the differentiation of stingless bee honey based on honeydew and blossom origins are very limited. In this study, 13C NMR spectroscopy was employed to quantify the seven major sugar tautomers in stingless bee honey samples, and the major sugar compositions of both honeydew and blossom types were found not significantly different. However, several physicochemical properties of honeydew honey including moisture content, free acidity, electrical conductivity, ash content, acetic acid, diastase, hydrogen peroxide, and mineral elements levels were significantly higher; while total soluble solid, proline, and hydroxymethylfurfural were significantly lower than blossom honey. Greater antioxidant capacity in honeydew honey was proven with higher total phenolic compounds, ABTS, DPPH, superoxide radical scavenging activities, peroxyl radical inhibition, iron chelation, and ferric reducing power. Using principal component analysis (PCA), two clusters of stingless bee honey from the honeydew and blossom origin were observed. PCA also revealed that the differentiation between honeydew and blossom origin of stingless bee honey is possible with certain physicochemical and antioxidant parameters. The combination of NMR spectroscopy and chemometrics are suggested to be useful to determine the authenticity and botanical origin of stingless bee honey.

Matched MeSH terms: Bees*
Fulltext Exploring the genome of Lactobacillaceae spp. Sy-1 isolated from Heterotrigona itama honey

Syed Yaacob SN, Huyop F, Misson M, Abdul Wahab R, Huda N

PeerJ, 2022;10:e13053.
PMID: 35345581 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13053

BACKGROUND: Honey produced by Heterotrigona itama is highly preferred among consumers due to its high-value as a functional food and beneficial lactic acid bacteria (LAB) reservoir. Fructophilic lactic acid bacteria (FLAB) are a group of LAB with unique growth characteristics and are regarded as promising producers of bioactive compounds. Hence, it is not surprising that LAB, especially FLAB, may be involved with the excellent bioactivity of H. itama honey. With the trending consumer preference for H. itama honey coupled with increasing awareness for healthy food, the genomic background of FLAB isolated from this honey must, therefore, be clearly understood. In this study, one FLAB strain designated as Sy-1 was isolated from freshly collected H. itama honey. Its FLAB behavior and genomic features were investigated to uncover functional genes that could add value to functional food.
METHODS: The fructophilic characteristics of strain Sy-1 were determined, and the genome was sequenced using Illumina iSeq100 and Oxford Nanopore. The average nucleotide identity and phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA, 92 core genes, and whole-genome sequence were performed to unravel the phylogenetic position of strain Sy-1. NCBI Prokaryotic Genome Annotation Pipeline annotated the genome, while the EggNOG-mapper, BLASTKoala, and GHOSTKoala were used to add functional genes and pathways information.
RESULTS: Strain Sy-1 prefers D-fructose over D-glucose and actively metabolizes D-glucose in the presence of electron acceptors. Genomic annotation of strain Sy-1 revealed few genes involved in carbohydrate transport and metabolism, and partial deletion of adhE gene, in line with the characteristic of FLAB. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain Sy-1 showed the highest similarity to unknown LAB species isolated from the gut of honeybees. The phylogenetic analyses discovered that strain Sy-1 belonged to the Lactobacillaceae family and formed a separate branch closer to type strain from the genera of Acetilactobacillus and Apilactobacillus. The ANI analysis showed the similarity of the closest relative, Apilactobacillus micheneri Hlig3T. The assembled genome of Sy-1 contains 3 contigs with 2.03 Mbp and a 41% GC content. A total of 1,785 genes were identified, including 1,685 protein-coding genes, 68 tRNA, and 15 rRNA. Interestingly, strain Sy-1 encoded complete genes for the biosynthesis of folate and riboflavin. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis further confirmed the high production of folic acid (1.346 mg/L) by Sy-1.
DISCUSSION: Based on phylogenetic and biochemical characteristics, strain Sy-1 should be classified as a novel genus in the family of Lactobacillaceae and a new member of FLAB. The genome information coupled with experimental studies supported the ability of strain Sy-1 to produce high folic acid. Our collective findings support the suitable application of FLAB strain Sy-1 in the functional food and pharmaceutical industries.

Matched MeSH terms: Bees/genetics
Fulltext Classification of Raw Stingless Bee Honeys by Bee Species Origins Using the NMR- and LC-MS-Based Metabolomics Approach

Razali MTA, Zainal ZA, Maulidiani M, Shaari K, Zamri Z, Mohd Idrus MZ, et al.

Molecules, 2018 Aug 28;23(9).
PMID: 30154302 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23092160

The official standard for quality control of honey is currently based on physicochemical properties. However, this method is time-consuming, cost intensive, and does not lead to information on the originality of honey. This study aims to classify raw stingless bee honeys by bee species origins as a potential classifier using the NMR-LCMS-based metabolomics approach. Raw stingless bee honeys were analysed and classified by bee species origins using proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H-NMR) spectroscopy and an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF MS) in combination with chemometrics tools. The honey samples were able to be classified into three different groups based on the bee species origins of Heterotrigona itama, Geniotrigona thoracica, and Tetrigona apicalis. d-Fructofuranose (H. itama honey), β-d-Glucose, d-Xylose, α-d-Glucose (G. thoracica honey), and l-Lactic acid, Acetic acid, l-Alanine (T. apicalis honey) ident d-Fructofuranose identified via ¹H-NMR data and the diagnostic ions of UHPLC-QTOF MS were characterized as the discriminant metabolites or putative chemical markers. It could be suggested that the quality of honey in terms of originality and purity can be rapidly determined using the classification technique by bee species origins via the ¹H-NMR- and UHPLC-QTOF MS-based metabolomics approach.

Matched MeSH terms: Bees*
Fulltext Employing artificial bee and ant colony optimization in machine learning techniques as a cognitive neuroscience tool

Mahawar K, Rattan P, Jalamneh A, Ab Yajid MS, Abdeljaber O, Kumar R, et al.

Sci Rep, 2025 Mar 24;15(1):10172.
PMID: 40128279 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-94642-6

Higher education is essential because it exposes students to a variety of areas. The academic performance of IT students is crucial and might fail if it isn't documented to identify the features influencing them, as well as their strengths and shortcomings. The student academic prediction system needs to be enhanced so that teachers can forecast their students' performance. Numerous studies have been conducted to increase the prediction accuracy of IT students, but they encountered difficulties with unbalanced data and algorithm tuning. To address these issues, the study proposed different machine learning (ML) algorithms that handled imbalanced data by applying the synthetic minority oversampling technique (SMOTE) and employing hyperparameter tuning algorithms to enhance prediction during the training process. The ML models we used were decision tree (DT), k-nearest neighbor, and XGBoost. The models were fine-tuned by applying Ant colony optimization (ACO) and artificial bee colony optimization techniques. Subsequently, these optimization techniques further enhanced the performance of the models. After comparing them, the results showed that SMOTE and ACO combined with the DT model outperformed other models for academic prediction. Additionally, the study utilized the Kendall Tau correlation coefficient technique to analyze the correlation between features and identify factors that positively or negatively impact student success.

Matched MeSH terms: Bees/physiology
Fulltext Therapeutic Properties of Stingless Bee Honey in Comparison with European Bee Honey

Zulkhairi Amin FA, Sabri S, Mohammad SM, Ismail M, Chan KW, Ismail N, et al.

Adv Pharmacol Sci, 2018;2018:6179596.
PMID: 30687402 DOI: 10.1155/2018/6179596

Both honeybees (Apis spp.) and stingless bees (Trigona spp.) produce honeys with high nutritional and therapeutics value. Until recently, the information regarding potential health benefits of stingless bee honey (SBH) in medical databases is still scarce as compared to the common European bee honey (EBH) which is well known for their properties as therapeutic agents. Although there have been very few reports on SBH, empirically these products would have similar therapeutic quality as the EBH. In addition, due to the structure of the nest, few studies reported that the antimicrobial activity of SBH is a little bit stronger than EBH. Therefore, the composition of both the types of honey as well as the traditional uses and clinical applications were compared. The results of various studies on EBH and SBH from tissue culture research to randomised control clinical trials were collated in this review. Interestingly, there are many therapeutic properties that are unique to SBH. Therefore, SBH has a great potential to be developed for modern medicinal uses.

Matched MeSH terms: Bees
Fulltext OBSERVATION OF FLOWER VISITORS TO DETERMINE THEIR POTENTIAL ROLE AS POLLINATORS OF Ixora coccinae AND Ruellia simplex

Fakhriah Kamaruddin, Mohamed Nor Zalipah

UMT Journal of Undergraduate Research, 2020;2(1):61-70.
MyJurnal

This study aimed to determine the potential pollinating agents of Ixora coccinae and Ruellia simplex at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) campus based on the foraging activities of the flower visitors. The diurnal observations (0700 hr to 1800 hr) were conducted for a total of 144 hours and 96 hours for I. coccinae, for R. simplex respectively. The flower visitor activities (landing or hovering at the flowers) and the time spent at the flowers however were recorded for only the first 10 minutes of every hour between 0700 hr and 1000 hr for four days. A total of 383 flower visitations was recorded by 17 insect species and a bird species, the olive-backed sunbird (Cinnyris jugularis). For I. coccinae, the most common visitors were Apis cerana, Heterotrigona itama and Xylocopa confusa, in which all species were found to show only landing behaviour to forage at the flowers, and the time spent foraging at the flowers was not significantly different between the species (Kruskal-Wallis test, H = 1.323, df = 2, p = 0.055). For R. simplex, the most common visitors were A. cerana with 100% landing, and C. jugularis which recorded 80% landing and 20% hovering during their visits to the flowers. Between the two, A. cerana recorded significantly longer time spent at the flowers as compared to C. jugularis (Mann-Whitney test, U = 17.355, p < 0.001). Based on the visitation rate and feeding behaviour of the flower visitors, A. cerana, H. itama and X. confusa were the potential pollinating agents for I. coccinae while for R. simplex, A. cerana showed higher potential to be a pollinating agent as compared to C. jugularis. Therefore, this study highlighted the importance of recording the behaviour of each flower visitor to determine the relative contribution to the pollination success of the plant species visited.

Matched MeSH terms: Bees
Fulltext Morphological characterization of pollen in Kelulut (stingless bee) honey

Mohamed, A.S., Muhammad Zaidi, N.F., Zolkapli, E., Aida Hamimi, I.

Malaysian Journal of Microscopy, 2016;12(1):71-77.
MyJurnal

Melissopalynology (pollen analysis) allows the identification of floral sources, botanical and geographical origin of selected Kelulut honey samples. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine the origin of selected Kelulut honey by Geniotrigona thoracica and Heterotrigona itama farmed and harvested at Lenggong (Perak). Briefly, the honey was diluted in ddH2O and filtered to obtain the pollens. Subsequently, the morphology of the pollens was observed under scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the frequency classes of species were determined. Based on qualitative and quantitative analysis, G. thoracica honey was demonstrated to be a uni-floral honey and H. Itama honey as a multi-floral honey. A total of 7 types of pollens were observed in G. thoracica honey while 9 types in H. Itama honey. Some of the pollen were identified with the aid of pollen atlas while some were unidentified. Furthermore, the results obtained in this study suggested that the pollens present in Kelulut honey are crucial in identifying botanical resource of stingless bee honey, which assist in preserving the ecosystem.

Matched MeSH terms: Bees
Revision of the bee genus Bathanthidium Mavromoustakis (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Megachilidae: Anthidiini) with description of a new species from China

Niu ZQ, Ascher JS, Griswold T, Zhu CD

Zootaxa, 2019 Aug 15;4657(1):zootaxa.4657.1.3.
PMID: 31716797 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4657.1.3

This revision of the bee genus Bathanthidium Mavromoustakis, 1953, treats 12 species, with 11 recorded from China, including Bathanthidium fengkaiense Niu Zhu, sp. nov.. Two species are proposed as new combinations in genus Bathanthidium: Anthidium (s. str.) bicolor Wu, 2004, A. (s. str.) monganshanensis Wu, 2004. The two new combinations (B. bicolor, B. monganshanense) are in Bathanthidium (Manthidium), previously considered to include only the type species from Burma and Laos (published records from northeastern India and Malaysia are based on misinterpreted localities). Trachusa (Paraanthidium) concavum (Wu, 1962) and Stelis siamensis Friese, 1925 are synonymized with B. binghami (Friese, 1901). Bathanthidium circinatum Wu, 2004 is transferred to Pseudoanthidium Friese forming the new combination P. (s. str.) circinatum (Wu, 2004). The distribution of each species is given, new distribution sites are marked by asterisk (*) especially. Our results confirm that the genus Bathanthidium has higher species diversity than previously documented and that this diversity is centered in China.

Matched MeSH terms: Bees
Evaluation of phytochemicals and antioxidant potential of a new polyherbal formulation TC-16: additive, synergistic or antagonistic?

Yap VL, Tan LF, Rajagopal M, Wiart C, Selvaraja M, Leong MY, et al.

BMC Complement Med Ther, 2023 Mar 28;23(1):93.
PMID: 36978110 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-023-03921-0

BACKGROUND: Scientific literature has demonstrated the association of free radicals in the aetiology of various chronic diseases. Hence, the identification of potent antioxidants remains a useful task. The combination of multiple herbs in polyherbal formulations (PHF) is often associated with greater therapeutic efficacy due to synergistic interactions. However, antagonism can occur in natural product mixtures and the resultant antioxidant potential might not always be the additive value of the antioxidant properties of each component. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the phytochemicals, antioxidative potential and interaction among the herbs in TC-16, a new PHF comprising Curcuma longa L., Zingiber officinale var. Bentong, Piper nigrum L., Citrofortunella microcarpa (Bunge) Wijnands and Apis dorsata honey.
METHODS: TC-16 was screened for phytochemicals. Phenolic and flavonoid contents of TC-16 and its individual ingredients were determined, followed by assessment of antioxidant properties using in vitro assays including 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and β-carotene bleaching (BCB) assays. Interactions among the herbs were also investigated by calculating the difference in antioxidant activity and combination index.
RESULTS: Alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins and glycosides were present in TC-16. TC-16 possessed the highest phenolic (46.14 ± 1.40 mg GAE/g) and flavonoid (132.69 ± 1.43 mg CE/g) contents following C. longa. Synergistic antioxidant activity among the herbs was evident in ORAC and BCB assays which uses mainly hydrogen atom transfer-based antioxidant mechanisms.
CONCLUSIONS: TC-16 demonstrated roles in combating free radicals. In a PHF, synergistic interaction among the herbs is observed in some but not all mechanisms. Mechanisms showing synergistic interactions should be highlighted to maximise the beneficial property of the PHF.

Matched MeSH terms: Bees
Long live the queen

Law YH

Science, 2021 Mar 26;371(6536):1302-1305.
PMID: 33766870 DOI: 10.1126/science.371.6536.1302
Matched MeSH terms: Bees/genetics; Bees/physiology*
Fulltext Stingless Bee-Collected Pollen (Bee Bread): Chemical and Microbiology Properties and Health Benefits

Mohammad SM, Mahmud-Ab-Rashid NK, Zawawi N

Molecules, 2021 Feb 11;26(4).
PMID: 33670262 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26040957

Stingless bee-collected pollen (bee bread) is a mixture of bee pollen, bee salivary enzymes, and regurgitated honey, fermented by indigenous microbes during storage in the cerumen pot. Current literature data for bee bread is overshadowed by bee pollen, particularly of honeybee Apis. In regions such as South America, Australia, and Southeast Asia, information on stingless bee bee bread is mainly sought to promote the meliponiculture industry for socioeconomic development. This review aims to highlight the physicochemical properties and health benefits of bee bread from the stingless bee. In addition, it describes the current progress on identification of beneficial microbes associated with bee bread and its relation to the bee gut. This review provides the basis for promoting research on stingless bee bee bread, its nutrients, and microbes for application in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Matched MeSH terms: Bees/metabolism; Bees/chemistry*
A new species of clearwing moth (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae: Osminiini) from Peninsular Malaysia, exhibiting bee-like morphology and behaviour

Skowron MA, Munisamy B, Hamid SB, Węgrzyn G

Zootaxa, 2015;4032(4):426-34.
PMID: 26624378 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4032.4.7

A new species of Sesiidae, tribe Osminiini from Peninsular Malaysia, Heterosphecia pahangensis Skowron, displaying numerous bee-mimicking features, is described. DNA barcodes showed significant differences with related taxa. However, the paucity of Sesiidae barcodes from Southeast Asia prevents meaningful taxonomic comparisons. The closest match out of published data on Sesiidae barcodes is Heterosphecia bantanakai, Arita & Gorbunov (2000a) from the tribe Osminiini, which has 9.98% sequence divergence from Heterosphecia pahangensis. Photographs of the moth in its natural habitat are shown. Behavioural aspects, such as mud-puddling and mode of flight, are described and presented in a video.

Matched MeSH terms: Bees
Fulltext A case report of an unusual complication from bee sting: acute brachial plexopathy

Kee HF, Hasan S, Wan Aliaa WS, Basri HB

Pak J Med Sci, 2014 Mar;30(2):455-6.
PMID: 24772163

Brachial plexopathy is usually related to trauma like direct injury to the nerve and stretching injuries. Neurological complications following bee sting are uncommon. Here, we describe a rare case of acute brachial plexopathy as a neurological complication following bee sting. A23-year-old maleinitially presented with angioedema and anaphylactic shock one hour after a bee stung at his neck. Twenty four hours after the incidence, he presented with sudden onset of left upper limb weakness. Nerve conduction study and electromyography had shown evidence of left brachial plexopathy.

Matched MeSH terms: Bees
Phylogenetic relationships, morphological variation, and toxin patterns in the Alexandrium ostenfeldii (Dinophyceae) complex: implications for species boundaries and identities

Kremp A, Tahvanainen P, Litaker W, Krock B, Suikkanen S, Leaw CP, et al.

J Phycol, 2014 Feb;50(1):81-100.
PMID: 26988010 DOI: 10.1111/jpy.12134

Alexandrium ostenfeldii (Paulsen) Balech and Tangen and A. peruvianum (Balech and B.R. Mendiola) Balech and Tangen are morphologically closely related dinoflagellates known to produce potent neurotoxins. Together with Gonyaulax dimorpha Biecheler, they constitute the A. ostenfeldii species complex. Due to the subtle differences in the morphological characters used to differentiate these species, unambiguous species identification has proven problematic. To better understand the species boundaries within the A. ostenfeldii complex we compared rDNA data, morphometric characters and toxin profiles of multiple cultured isolates from different geographic regions. Phylogenetic analysis of rDNA sequences from cultures characterized as A. ostenfeldii or A. peruvianum formed a monophyletic clade consisting of six distinct groups. Each group examined contained strains morphologically identified as either A. ostenfeldii or A. peruvianum. Though key morphological characters were generally found to be highly variable and not consistently distributed, selected plate features and toxin profiles differed significantly among phylogenetic clusters. Additional sequence analyses revealed a lack of compensatory base changes in ITS2 rRNA structure, low to intermediate ITS/5.8S uncorrected genetic distances, and evidence of reticulation. Together these data (criteria currently used for species delineation in dinoflagellates) imply that the A. ostenfeldii complex should be regarded a single genetically structured species until more material and alternative criteria for species delimitation are available. Consequently, we propose that A. peruvianum is a heterotypic synonym of A. ostenfeldii and this taxon name should be discontinued.

Matched MeSH terms: Bees

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