pathogen

In nature, dIgA is produced as part of the immune system and is released into tears, saliva and mucus as an early defense against pathogens.

The failure of bee colonies was caused by a wide range of factors, including but not limited to pathogens, pests, pesticides, pollutants, habitat loss, climate variability, agricultural production intensification, and crop management practices.

It follows an earlier investigation into pathogens responsible for potato diseases, which was recently published in Nature Communications.

NETs are produced through a specialised form of innate immune response known as NETosis, whereby neutrophils expel their DNA to form filamentous structures embedded with cytotoxic enzymes capable of rapidly trapping and neutralizing pathogens.

Scientists believe this same mechanism could also be at work in other deadly pathogens, including Nipah and Ebola viruses.