Prevalence of acute paralysis virus (APV) and other viral infections in honeybees in Italy
1991
Carpana, E. | Vecchi, M.A. (Instituto Nationale di Apicoltura, Bologna (Italy)) | Lavazza, A. | Bassi, S. | Dottori, M.
Recent research in various European countries on honeybee colonies has highlighted the fact that secondary pathological forms, particularly virus infections, are found in conjunction with Varroa mites. Acute paralysis virus (APV) has frequently been identified as one of the main causes of mortality in bee colonies infested with Varroa jacobsoni. For some years now in Italy pathological cases have been reported which are not identifiable with known hive diseases and not always related to high level Varroa mite infestation when present. In 1989 and 1990 preliminary research was conducted to determine if virus infection, especially APV, was present in bee colonies from different parts of Italy and with different health conditions. Extracts of adult bees, brood and mites were examined with electron microscopy (EM) under negative staining (NS) to assess presence of virus particles. Thereafter immune serum electron microscopy (USEM) with hyperimmune APV antiserum was used to identify the virus causing acute paralysis. The results highlighted a number of virus forms in different bee development stages combined or not with actual appearance of disease. In samples from sealed brood, adult bees and especially from mites APV were prevalent. The role of Varroa jacobsoni in transmitting the virus is discussed.
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