Intracellular germination of spores of Nosema apis Z

Abstract

Intracellular germination of Nosema apis spores is shown in TEM preparations of in- fected honey bee (Apis mellifera) ventricular cells. A series of observations at different times post- infection provides support for a hypothesis that could explain the rapid intercellular spread of the par- asite. It is suggested that the first spores produced often germinate and spread the parasite within the epithelium, whereas intact and durable spores are produced later in infected cells when they be- come more crowded with parasites. Nosema apis / germination / spread / parasite INTRODUCTION