You know you’re a science geek when. . .

 

You know you’re a science geek when….

by Melissa Reardon , Content Tutor

 

           

I failed to realize the true extent of my science “nerdy-ness” until I made the exciting discovery that there exists a type of bacteria named after me! It’s called Melissococcus plutonius.

Okay, okay, I’m kidding-the microbe has been around for a lot longer than I, but one has to admit, the similarity is uncanny. I was so amused by my find I decided to share that information I gathered concerning the topic through the blog.

My name, Melissa, means “honeybee” in Greek. Melissococcus plutonius is a pathogenic bacteria that infects honeybee larvae.

Melissococcus plutonius is a gram positive bacteria (if you are not aware of this term’s meaning ask a fellow nursing or science student!), whose structure is spherical that develops either singularly or in chains. The microbe causes European foulbrood (EFB), a disease often deadly to developing honeybees. EFB is transferred to larvae by nursing bees who feed them contaminated nectar. Infection is often linked to stressful conditions caused by a lack of food, water, or space, as well as a pre-existing condition such as a separate disease or pest infestation of bee colony hives.

The bacteria colonize within the larvae’s mid-gut, eventually competing with the organism for food supply. Infected larvae starve and die. Infection is detected when a bee colony’s larvae suddenly exhibit a yellow then brown color, form into a sickle-shape, and become odorous (yuck!).

EFB that adversely affects the honeybee business in European countries as it can cause a significant loss of honey crop. There are currently two methods of treatment for this pathogen-honeybee farmers administer oxytetracycline (an antibiotic that stops bacterial growth by blocking protein synthesis-enroll in microbiology to learn more!) to a hive, or burn it completely in the hopes of preventing its spread to other hives. It is unknown, however, how much longer oxytetracycline will prove effective due to the risk of development of bacterial resistance. The antibiotic has been utilized since the 1950s, so Melissococcus plutonius has had more than half a century to learn how to adapt to it!

There you have it! Melissococcus plutonius in a nutshell.  I hope I have taught you something interesting! Blog back if you want to learn more.

 

 

Information gathered from:

 

Vita Europe Limited (2008). European Foulbrood. Retrieved 9/22/08, from

            http://www.vitaeurope.com/Map_enscript/frmbuilder.php?dateiname=%2Fen%2F            development%2FVITAbac.htm.

 

Jackson, S., Thompson, H., & Waite, R. (2003). Preliminary investigations into possible

                resistance to oxytetracycline in Melissococcus plutonius , a pathogen of honeybee

                larvae. Letters in Applied Microbiology, 36 (1), 20-24. Retrieved 9/22/08, from

                Academic Search Premier (8688122).

 

Doughty, S. Goodman, R., & Luck, J. (2004). Evaluating alternative antibiotics for

            control of european foulbrood disease. Rural Industries Research and                    

Development Corporation. Retrieved 9/22/08, from  http://www.rirdc.gov.au/reports/HBE/04-095.pdf.