A Comparison of Different Matrices for the Laboratory Diagnosis of the Epizootic American Foulbrood of Honey Bees
2023
Julia Ebeling | Antonia Reinecke | Niklas Sibum | Anne Fünfhaus | Pia Aumeier | Christoph Otten | Elke Genersch
American Foulbrood (AFB) of honey bees caused by the spore-forming bacterium <i>Paenibacillus larvae</i> is a notifiable epizootic in most countries. Authorities often consider a rigorous eradication policy the only sustainable control measure. However, early diagnosis of infected but not yet diseased colonies opens up the possibility of ridding these colonies of <i>P. larvae</i> spores by the shook swarm method, thus preventing colony destruction by AFB or official control orders. Therefore, surveillance of bee colonies for <i>P. larvae</i> infection followed by appropriate sanitary measures is a very important intervention to control AFB. For the detection of <i>P. larvae</i> spores in infected colonies, samples of brood comb honey, adult bees, or hive debris are commonly used. We here present our results from a comparative study on the suitability of these matrices in reliably and correctly detecting <i>P. larvae</i> spores contained in these matrices. Based on the sensitivity and limit of detection of <i>P. larvae</i> spores in samples from hive debris, adult bees, and brood comb honey, we conclude that the latter two are equally well-suited for AFB surveillance programs. Hive debris samples should only be used when it is not possible to collect honey or adult bee samples from brood combs.
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