ABSTRACT
In Argentina, bee virus studies are still incipient, and there are no studies regarding the climatic effect. The aim of this study was to assess and compare the presence of honeybee viruses in different climatic regions from Argentina. A total of 385 colonies distributed in five Argentinean eco-regions were examined to evaluate the percentage of infestation with Varroa destructor and the presence of seven virus species (Deformed wing virus, DWV; Acute bee paralysis virus, ABPV; Chronic bee paralysis virus, CBPV; Black queen cell virus, BQCV; Kashmer bee virus, KBV; Israeli acute bee paralysis virus, IAPV; and Sacbrood bee virus, SBV) after honey yield. Two viruses, KBV and IAPV, were not detected. The other five viruses were found in different prevalences: DWV (35%), ABPV (21.5%), BQCV (8.0%), CBPV (2.2%), and SBV (1.1%). We found double and triple viral associations in approximately 25% of the sampled colonies. The mean V. destructor infestation in the colonies prior to the acaricide treatment was 7.12% ± 8.7%. The knowledge of the prevalence of these viruses in the region and their relation with the mite and other possible influencing factors is important for preventing colony losses. Further studies are necessary to identify the risk factors associated with virus presence and its relationship with other pathogens such as V. destructor.
En Argentina, los estudios sobre prevalencia de virus en abejas continúan siendo incipientes y no existen reportes acerca de cómo inciden sobre dicha prevalencia las variables climáticas. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar y comparar la presencia de virus en abejas melíferas en diferentes regiones agroecológicas de Argentina. A tal fin se evaluaron 385 colmenas distribuidas en 5 regiones agroecológicas de las provincias de Chaco y Santa Fe; en ellas se analizó el porcentaje de infestación con Varroa destructor (ácaro patógeno de abejas) y la presencia de 7 especies de virus (DWV, virus de las alas deformadas; ABPV, virus de la parálisis aguda de la abeja; CBPV, virus de la parálisis crónica de la abeja; BQCV, virus de celda negra de la reina; KBV, virus de la abeja de Cachemira; IAPV, virus israelí de la parálisis aguda y SBV, virus de la cría ensacada). luego de la cosecha de miel. Dos virus (KBV y IAPV) no fueron detectados. Las otras 5 especies de virus se encontraron con prevalencias variables: DWV (35%), ABPV (21,5%), BQCV (8%), CBPV (2,2%) y SBV (1,1%). Fue posible identificar la presencia de 3 y hasta 3 virus simultáneamente en el 25% de las colmenas evaluadas. El promedio de infestación por V. destructor en las colmenas luego de la cosecha de miel y antes del tratamiento con acaricidas fue de 7,12% (±8,7). Conocer la prevalencia de virus en las diferentes regiones agroecológicas y su relación con la presencia del ácaro V. destructor e identificar otros posibles factores que podrían influir en su presencia es relevante para definir estrategias que reduzcan la mortandad de colmenas. Es necesario realizar estudios adicionales para identificar los factores de riesgo asociados a la presencia de virus en las colmenas y su relación con otros patógenos, como V. destructor.
Subject(s)
Animals , Viruses , Bees , Varroidae , Argentina , Viruses/isolation & purification , Bees/microbiology , Bees/virology , PrevalenceABSTRACT
Although silver is known to be a broad-spectrum biocidal agent, the effects of this metal against Sacbrood virus have not yet been investigated. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of silver ions against natural Korean sacbrood virus (KSBV) infection of Apis (A.) cerana. Ten KSBV-infected colonies containing A. cerana with similar strength and activity were selected from an apiary located in Bosung-gun (Korea). Among these, five colonies were randomly assigned to the treatment group that was fed sugar syrup containing 0.2 mg/L silver ions. The other colonies were assigned to the untreated control group in which bees were given syrup without the silver ions. To assess the efficacy of the silver ions, colony strength, colony activity, and the number of dead larvae per hive were measured. During the experimental period, the test group maintained its strength and activity until day 32 while those of bees in the control group decreased sharply after day 8 to 16. Survival duration of the test group was significantly longer (40 days) than that of the control group (21 days). These results strongly indicated that silver ions are effective against KSBV infection in A. cerana.
Subject(s)
Animals , Antiviral Agents/pharmacology , Beekeeping , Bees/virology , Ions/pharmacology , RNA Viruses/drug effects , Republic of Korea , Silver/pharmacologyABSTRACT
Pollination is critical for food production and has the particularity of linking natural ecosystems with agricultural production systems. Recently, losses of bumblebee species have been reported worldwide. In this study, samples from a commercial exploitation of bumblebees of Argentina with a recent history of deaths were studied using a multiplex PCR for the detection of the honey bee viruses most frequently detected in South America. All samples analysed were positive for co-infections with Deformed wing virus, Black queen cell virus and Sacbrood virus. This is the first report of infection of Bombus atratus with honey bee viruses. A better understanding of viral infections in bumblebees and of the epidemiology of viruses could be of great importance as bumblebees can serve as possible viral reservoirs, resulting in pathogen spillover towards honey bees and native bumblebees.
A polinização é essencial para a produção de alimentos e tem como particularidade a conexão entre os ecossistemas naturais com sistemas de produção agrícola. Recentemente, as perdas de espécies de bumblebee em todo o mundo têm sido relatadas. Neste trabalho, amostras de uma exploração comercial de bumblebee da Argentina, com recente história de mortes foram estudadas utilizando uma Multiplex PCR para a detecção de vírus de abelha mais frequentemente detectados na América do Sul. Todas as amostras analisadas foram positivas para as co-infecções com Deformed wing virus, Black queen cell viruses e Sacbrood virus. Este trabalho descreve o primeiro relato de infecção de Bombus atratus com vírus de abelhas. Uma melhor compreensão das infecções virais em bumblebee e da epidemiologia dos vírus poderia ser de grande importância, uma vez que tais abelhas podem servir como reservatório viral, com possível repercussão tanto na produtividade de abelhas melíferas como afetando-as diretamente.
Subject(s)
Animals , Bees/virology , Coinfection/veterinary , Pollination , Virus Diseases/veterinaryABSTRACT
Honey bee mortality has recently been associated with Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV), a proposed etiological agent for a new syndrome known as Colony Collapse Disorder. Bees infected with this virus show shivering wings, progress into paralysis, and finally die outside the hive. During the last years, honey bee mortality became a serious problem for Argentinean beekeepers. We herein report the preliminary results of a survey carried out to detect IAPV in samples taken from several Argentine provinces, by using a reverse transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction assay. Our data indicate the existence of high frequency of IAPV in asymptomatic hives of Argentina.
Recientemente la mortalidad de las abejas melíferas ha sido asociada al virus israelí de la parálisis aguda (IAPV), propuesto como agente etiológico del denominado síndrome de despoblamiento de las colmenas. Las abejas infectadas con este virus presentan temblores en las alas que progresan hasta convertirse en parálisis, y finalmente mueren fuera de la colmena. Durante los últimos años, la mortalidad de las abejas melíferas se ha transformado en un serio problema para los productores de miel de la Argentina. Nosotros informamos aquí los resultados preliminares de un estudio realizado para detectar IAPV en muestras de colmenas provenientes de varias provincias argentinas utilizando la técnica de transcripción reversa-reacción en cadena de la polimerasa. Nuestros datos indican la presencia de IAPV en un alto porcentaje de las colonias estudiadas.