Virus infections in Brazilian honey bees

J Invertebr Pathol. 2008 Sep;99(1):117-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jip.2008.03.014. Epub 2008 Apr 4.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bees / virology*
  • Brazil
  • Insect Viruses / genetics
  • Insect Viruses / isolation & purification*
  • Mass Screening
  • RNA Virus Infections / veterinary*
  • RNA Virus Infections / virology
  • RNA Viruses / genetics
  • RNA Viruses / isolation & purification*
  • RNA, Viral / analysis
  • RNA, Viral / genetics
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Virus Diseases / veterinary*
  • Virus Diseases / virology

Substances

  • RNA, Viral