Rates of single and multiple virus infection in the honey bee, Apis mellifera

Colony collapse disorder has increased interest in the role of viruses in honey bee health. In this study, we determine if management practices affect the rates of infection for six common viruses by comparing the rates of infection between migratory, queen breeder, and hobbyist beekeepers. The study found that migratory beekeepers had higher rates of infection for Israeli acute paralysis virus and Kashmir bee virus. Migratory beekeepers also had higher rates of infection by more than one virus within a single colony. These results highlight the importance of management practices, perhaps including housing bees at high density, for the prevention of viral infection.

Rates of single and multiple virus infection in the honey bee, Apis mellifera

Colony collapse disorder has increased interest in the role of viruses in honey bee health. In this study, we determine if management practices affect the rates of infection for six common viruses by comparing the rates of infection between migratory, queen breeder, and hobbyist beekeepers. The study found that migratory beekeepers had higher rates of infection for Israeli acute paralysis virus and Kashmir bee virus. Migratory beekeepers also had higher rates of infection by more than one virus within a single colony. These results highlight the importance of management practices, perhaps including housing bees at high density, for the prevention of viral infection.(AU)

First metagenomic analysis of microorganisms in honey bees from Brazil / Primeira análise metagenômica de microorganismos em abelhas melíferas oriundas do Brasil

Alternative approaches including metagenomic and genetic screening can be extremely useful and can accelerate important discoveries related to a current phenomenon wich affect honey bees around the world (characterized by the depopulation or sudden losses of hives). To determine possible causes for the decline in honey bee colonies from southeastern Brazil, and in particular to test the likelihoods of specific predicted causative agent(s) for this condition, a diverse set of analyses were proposed. These analyses form part of a more extensive Epidemiological Evaluation Program for bees in southeastern Brazil. Here we present an overview about part of this Program. Three viruses were identified (Acute Bee Paralysis Virus - ABPV, Black Queen Cell Virus - BQCV, and Deformed Wing Virus - DWV) in 1,920 analyzed bees, and a multiplex RT-PCR assay was developed and validated. Although strategy adopted to analyze data in details is still being evaluated and prepared by the authors, the first results indicated that ca. 26 % of the samples carried Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus (IAPV), and some isolates for this virus were found. Nosema ceranae, Melissococus pluton, Leptomonas apis, and Spiroplasma apis were also detected. Pathological, epidemiological, and widespread studies remain to be conducted once no single pathogen seems overly predominant in declining bee colonies.

Abordagens alternativas, incluindo análises genéticas e metagenômicas, podem ser extremamente úteis para descobertas relacionadas ao atual fenômeno que vem afetando as abelhas melíferas no mundo (caracterizado pelo declínio populacional ou perda súbita de colméias). Para identificar as possíveis causas envolvidas com o declínio populacional em colméias da regi ão sudeste do Brasil e, em particular, para testar as semelhanças com possíveis agentes causadores envolvidos com tal fenômeno, diversas análises foram propostas. Tais análises fazem parte de um extenso Programa de Avaliação Epidemiológica para abelhas oriundas da região sudeste do país e parte desse Programa e de seus resultados encontram-se aqui apresentados. Três vírus foram identificados (Acute Bee Paralysis Virus - ABPV, Black Queen Cell Virus - BQCV, and Deformed Wing Virus - DWV) em 1920 abelhas analisadas e um ensaio multiplex RT-PCR foi desenvolvido e validado. Embora certas estratégias adotadas para análise dos dados com maiores detalhes encontrem-se ainda em preparação, os primeiros resultados indicaram que aproximadamente 26% das amostras analisadas encontravam-se infectadas pelo vírus Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus (IAPV) e diferentes isolados de tal vírus foram identificados. Nosema ceranae, Melissococus pluton, Leptomonas apis, and Spiroplasma apis foram também detectados. Estudos patológicos, epidemiológico

First metagenomic analysis of microorganisms in honey bees from Brazil / Primeira análise metagenômica de microorganismos em abelhas melíferas oriundas do Brasil

Alternative approaches including metagenomic and genetic screening can be extremely useful and can accelerate important discoveries related to a current phenomenon wich affect honey bees around the world (characterized by the depopulation or sudden losses of hives). To determine possible causes for the decline in honey bee colonies from southeastern Brazil, and in particular to test the likelihoods of specific predicted causative agent(s) for this condition, a diverse set of analyses were proposed. These analyses form part of a more extensive Epidemiological Evaluation Program for bees in southeastern Brazil. Here we present an overview about part of this Program. Three viruses were identified (Acute Bee Paralysis Virus - ABPV, Black Queen Cell Virus - BQCV, and Deformed Wing Virus - DWV) in 1,920 analyzed bees, and a multiplex RT-PCR assay was developed and validated. Although strategy adopted to analyze data in details is still being evaluated and prepared by the authors, the first results indicated that ca. 26 % of the samples carried Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus (IAPV), and some isolates for this virus were found. Nosema ceranae, Melissococus pluton, Leptomonas apis, and Spiroplasma apis were also detected. Pathological, epidemiological, and widespread studies remain to be conducted once no single pathogen seems overly predominant in declining bee colonies.

Abordagens alternativas, incluindo análises genéticas e metagenômicas, podem ser extremamente úteis para descobertas relacionadas ao atual fenômeno que vem afetando as abelhas melíferas no mundo (caracterizado pelo declínio populacional ou perda súbita de colméias). Para identificar as possíveis causas envolvidas com o declínio populacional em colméias da regi ão sudeste do Brasil e, em particular, para testar as semelhanças com possíveis agentes causadores envolvidos com tal fenômeno, diversas análises foram propostas. Tais análises fazem parte de um extenso Programa de Avaliação Epidemiológica para abelhas oriundas da região sudeste do país e parte desse Programa e de seus resultados encontram-se aqui apresentados. Três vírus foram identificados (Acute Bee Paralysis Virus - ABPV, Black Queen Cell Virus - BQCV, and Deformed Wing Virus - DWV) em 1920 abelhas analisadas e um ensaio multiplex RT-PCR foi desenvolvido e validado. Embora certas estratégias adotadas para análise dos dados com maiores detalhes encontrem-se ainda em preparação, os primeiros resultados indicaram que aproximadamente 26% das amostras analisadas encontravam-se infectadas pelo vírus Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus (IAPV) e diferentes isolados de tal vírus foram identificados. Nosema ceranae, Melissococus pluton, Leptomonas apis, and Spiroplasma apis foram também detectados. Estudos patológicos, epidemiológico