First report of viral infections that affect argentine honeybees (original) (raw)

Detection of Honeybee Viruses in a Queen-Rearing Apiary from Argentina

Modern Concepts & Developments in Agronomy, 2020

Centro de investigaciones en Ciencias Agronómicas y Veterinarias (CICVyA), Argentina Recently, BQCV was detected in Argentinean apiaries located along different geographic regions, with a prevalence of 8% [8]. Acute bee paralysis virus (ABPV) is a widespread bee pathogen that has been linked with colony losses [14]. Previous reports demonstrated highly increased percentage of infection by ABPV in Slovenian queen rearing apiaries [5]. ABPV usually shows low prevalence values and its detection is not associated with clinical signs. However, when the virus is present at high titers, elevated mortality rates are evident [14].

Prevalence of honey bee (Apis mellifera) viruses in temperate and subtropical regions from Argentina

Revista Argentina de microbiologia

In Argentina, bee virus studies are still incipient, and there are no studies regarding the climatic effect. The aim of this study was to assess and compare the presence of honeybee viruses in different climatic regions from Argentina. A total of 385 colonies distributed in five Argentinean eco-regions were examined to evaluate the percentage of infestation with Varroa destructor and the presence of seven virus species (Deformed wing virus, DWV; Acute bee paralysis virus, ABPV; Chronic bee paralysis virus, CBPV; Black queen cell virus, BQCV; Kashmer bee virus, KBV; Israeli acute bee paralysis virus, IAPV; and Sacbrood bee virus, SBV) after honey yield. Two viruses, KBV and IAPV, were not detected. The other five viruses were found in different prevalences: DWV (35%), ABPV (21.5%), BQCV (8.0%), CBPV (2.2%), and SBV (1.1%). We found double and triple viral associations in approximately 25% of the sampled colonies. The mean V. destructor infestation in the colonies prior to the acarici...

Viruses that affect Argentinian honey bees (Apis mellifera)

Archives of virology, 2021

Beekeeping is a widespread activity in Argentina, mainly producing honey that has gained both national and international recognition. There are more than 3,000,000 hives in the country, mainly concentrated in Buenos Aires Province (approximately 1,000,000 hives). In recent decades, worrying rates of hive loss have been observed in many countries around the world. In Latin America, the estimated loss of hives is between 13% (Peru and Ecuador) and 53% (Chile). Argentina had annual losses of 34% for the period of October 1, 2016 to October 1, 2017. The causes of these losses are not clear but probably involve multiple stressors that can act simultaneously. One of the main causes of loss of bee colonies worldwide is infestation by the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor in combination with viral infections. To date, 10 viruses have been detected that affect honey bees (Apis mellifera) in Argentina. Of these, deformed wing virus, sacbrood virus, acute bee paralysis virus, chronic bee pa...

Detection of Chronic bee paralysis virus and Acute bee paralysis virus in Uruguayan honeybees

Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, 2005

Chronic bee paralysis virus (CBPV) causes a disease characterized by trembling, Xightless, and crawling bees, while Acute bee paralysis virus (ABPV) is commonly detected in apparently healthy colonies, usually associated to Varroa destructor. Both viruses had been detected in most regions of the world, except in South America. In this work, we detected CBPV and ABPV in samples of Uruguayan honeybees by RT-PCR. The detection of both viruses in diVerent provinces and the fact that most of the analyzed samples were infected, suggest that, they are widely spread in the region. This is the Wrst record of the presence of CBPV and ABPV in Uruguay and South America. 

Prevalence and phylogenetic analysis of honey bee viruses in the Biobío Region of Chile and their association with other honey bee pathogens

Chilean journal of agricultural research, 2014

Different episodes of mortalities of honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies have been associated with the presence of honey bee pathogens. Since the Biobío Region has among the highest number of apiaries in Chile, the aim of the present study was to identify viruses in the Region affecting honey bees, evaluate their relation to other pathogens, and conduct a phylogenetic analysis. Pupae and adult bees were collected from 60 apiaries of Apis mellifera L. in the Biobío Region over 2 yr. RNA viruses were detected by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR), and Acarapis woodi, Nosema spp., and Varroa destructor via PCR. Three viruses were detected: Acute bee paralysis virus (ABPV), Black queen cell virus (BQCV) and Deformed wing virus (DWV) in 2%, 10%, and 42% of the apiaries, respectively. No statistical correlation was observed between the presence of the different viruses, V. destructor, A. woodi, and the two Nosema species, and the bee development stages. One year after the first sampling, DWV and BQCV were detected mainly in foraging adult bee samples. Three percent of the apiaries were infected with N. apis and 18% with N. ceranae, 5% were positive for V. destructor, while A. woodi was not detected. PCR products were sequenced and compared to the Genbank database. Chilean sequences of ABPV, BQCV, and DWV showed high percentages of similarity to other isolates in South America.

Detection of Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus (IAPV) and Apis mellifera Filamentous Virus (AmFV) in Honey Bees in Mexico

Journal of Apicultural Science, 2018

The recent alarming loss of honey bee colonies around the world is believed to be related to the presence of viruses. The aim of this study was to detect two major viral diseases, Apis mellifera Filamentous virus (AmFV) and Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus (IAPV) using Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction RT-PCR, in honey bees in Mexico. Adult and larvae honey bee samples were collected from asymptomatic colonies of six major beekeeping regions in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico. Both viruses were detected in both developmental stages of honey bees, IAPV at a higher prevalence (23.5%) as compared to AmFV, only in 0.9% of samples. However, this is the first report on AmFV infection in Mexican apiaries. Further studies are required to understand the AmFV and IAPV impact on colony loss in Mexico and to develop strategies for enhancing the control of viral diseases.

Virus infections in Brazilian honey bees

Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, 2008

This work describes the first molecular-genetic evidence for viruses in Brazilian honey bee samples. Three different bee viruses, Acute bee paralysis virus (ABPV), Black queen cell virus (BQCV), and Deformed wing virus (DWV) were identified during a screening of RNAs from 1920 individual adult bees collected in a region of southeastern Brazil that has recently shown unusual bee declines. ABPV was detected in 27.1% of colony samples, while BQCV and DWV were found in 37% and 20.3%, respectively. These levels are substantially lower than the frequencies found for these viruses in surveys from other parts of the world. We also developed and validated a multiplex RT-PCR assay for the simultaneous detection of ABPV, BQCV, and DWV in Brazil.

Short communication: Molecular detection of honeybee viruses in Ecuador

Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research, 2020

Aim of study: The honeybee, Apis mellifera, is one of the most important pollinators in the world. Apicultural activity and pollination services have been affected by the decline in the honeybee population, which may be due to the interaction of multiple risk factors, such as changes in agricultural production, use of pesticides and presence of pathogens. Viruses, in particular, are suspected to be drivers of colony mortality. In this scenario, the aim of this study was to determine the presence of honeybee viruses (IAPV, DWV, SBV, ABPV, BQCV, CBPV) in A. mellifera populations using a RT-mPCR assay.Area of study: Apiaries were situated in Pichincha, Ecuador.Material and methods: Samples were collected from seventeen apiaries that exhibited mortality but without specific clinical signs. Each sample comprised 15 individuals. After RNA extraction, a multiplex PCR analysis was performed for presence of six viruses (IAPV, DWV, SBV, ABPV, BQCV, CBPV).Main results: Four of the viruses (ABP...

Prevalence and distribution patterns of seven different honeybee viruses in diseased colonies: a case study from Croatia

Apidologie, 2014

The prevalence and regional distribution patterns of seven different honeybee viruses, i.e. Acute bee paralysis virus (ABPV), Sacbrood virus (SBV), Black queen cell virus (BQCV), Deformed wing virus (DWV), Kashmir bee virus (KBV), Chronic bee paralysis virus (CBPV), and Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV) were investigated using reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) analyses. Bee samples were collected in 82 apiaries located in 20 different districts of Croatia, mainly from bee colonies with various health problems. 9.75 % of investigated samples (apiaries) proved to be infected with CBPV, while ABPV, BQCV, SBV, and DWV were found in 10.97 %, 29.26 %, 40.24 %, and 95.12 % of apiaries, respectively. No samples tested positive for KBV and IAPV. Thus, the prevalences of BQCV, ABPV, SBV, and CBPV were generally lower in Croatia compared to other European Union member states, whereas the prevalence of DWV was similarly high. The possible reasons for these differences are discussed. This study provides the first molecular evidence for the presence of honeybee viruses in Croatian honeybees.

Detection of Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus (IAPV) and Apis mellifera Filamentous Virus (AmFV) in Honey Bees in Mexico

Journal of Apicultural Science

The recent alarming loss of honey bee colonies around the world is believed to be related to the presence of viruses. The aim of this study was to detect two major viral diseases, Apis mellifera Filamentous virus (AmFV) and Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus (IAPV) using Reverse Transcription - Polymerase Chain Reaction RT-PCR, in honey bees in Mexico. Adult and larvae honey bee samples were collected from asymptomatic colonies of six major beekeeping regions in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico. Both viruses were detected in both developmental stages of honey bees, IAPV at a higher prevalence (23.5%) as compared to AmFV, only in 0.9% of samples. However, this is the first report on AmFV infection in Mexican apiaries. Further studies are required to understand the AmFV and IAPV impact on colony loss in Mexico and to develop strategies for enhancing the control of viral diseases.