ABSTRACT
Melissococcus plutonius is a pathogenic bacterium that affects honeybee brood triggering colony collapse in severe cases. The bacterium causes a European foulbrood (EFB) disease in the honeybee populations, impacting beekeeping and agricultural industries. The pathogenesis, epidemiology, and variants of M. plutonius have been studied, but the virulence factors involved in larval infection are still unknown. Recently, an in-silico study suggested putative genes that might play a role in the pathogenesis of EFB. However, studies are required to determine their function as virulence factors. In addition, the few studies of clonal complexes (CCs), virulence factors, and variation in the honeybee larvae mortality have interfered with the development of more efficient control methods. The research, development, and differences in virulence between genetic variants (CCs) of M. plutonius and potential virulence factors implicated in honeybee larval mortality are discussed in this review.
