[Diagnosis and Managment of American Foulbrood Disease Paenibacillus larvae in Syrian Apiaries]

The American Foulbrood Disease (Paenibacillus Larvae White) has been investigated during 2011-2012, in 11 apiaries for local bees Apis mellifera L. in Damascus country side, Sweida, Hama and Tartous that suspected to be infected with American Foulbrood Disease. Seventy two bacterial isolates were isolated from cell components (brood, adults, honey, pollen, wax, propolis) at laboratories of Agriculture in Damascus University . Sixteen isolates were identified using a set of biochemical test, where its results were compatible with the specification of P. larvae, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was applied to these isolates. PCR was realized using a P. larvae specific primers for 16S rRNA gene, which give an amplicon with size of 986 bp. Molecular test demonstrate that fourteen isolates are belong to P. larvae. This study is the first report of the American Foulbrood Disease in some Syrians apiaries. The growth of a P. larvae was tested on nine solid media, Results show that P. larvae grows efficiently on LP agar, MYPGP and PLA. The effect of some essential oils like Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Citrus limonum and Rosmarinus Officinalis was investigated in relation to the growth of the bacteria P. larvae. The study was carried out between 2012-2013. The research is made in order to have an integrated pest management programme for American Foulbrood disease. The oils were extracted from the plants using steam distillation. The effects of the oils concentrations (500, 3.90625) ìg/ml on the P. larvae growth was determined using agar disc diffusion on MYPGP media. Results showed that the essential oils used inhibit the growth of P. larvae in some doses. The minimal inhibitory concentration which stops the growth of P. larvae of the oil of Cinnamomum zeylanicum and the oil of Citrus limonum and the oil of Rosmarinus officinalis was recorded at 31.25 ìg/ml, 62.5 ìg/ml, 125 ìg/ml respectively.