European honeybees (Apis mellifera) can serve as effective biomonitoring agents for detecting the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in urban neighborhoods, according to a recent study published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology. The research found that honeybees can carry genetic elements associated with key AMR drivers in their digestive tracts.
Major Highlights of the Research
- European honeybees serve as a unique environmental proxy, effectively “crowdsourcing” data as they interact with contaminants in various urban elements such as soil, dust, air, water, and pollen during their foraging activities.
- Their short lifespan, around 4 weeks, allows them to provide real-time data on the state of the environment concerning antimicrobial resistance.
- Researchers have shed light on the significance of these bees in assessing pollution that may pose risks to human health. They analyzed the gut bacteria of 144 bees and identified Class 1 integrons (intI1) as a universal marker for tracking AMR.
- Surprisingly, around 52% of the bees carried intI1 in urban areas.
- Integron is a mobile DNA element that can capture and carry genes, particularly those responsible for antibiotic resistance.
- Furthermore, the researchers examined eight bees from each of the 18 hives owned by citizen-scientist beekeepers in Greater Sydney, Australia.
- 80% of these bees across all hives tested positive for one or more AMR targets.
- Higher concentrations were observed near bodies of water like dams and lakes.
European Honeybees
- European honeybees (Apis mellifera) commonly referred to as the Western honey bee, possess two pairs of wings and usually display black or brown coloring with distinctive yellow stripes on its abdomen.
- They prefer to nest in a cavity such as a hollow tree or house wall.
- They are assessed as “Data Deficient” on the IUCN Red List.
- The species lives predominantly in managed bee colonies throughout Europe, although there are potentially feral and wild bee colonies found in a wide range of habitats.
- Generally, the species can be found to inhabit temperate forests, grasslands and even semi-deserts.