• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.4.1-4.9
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• 2020

Fast and accurate detection of viral RNA pathogens is important in apiculture. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based detection method has been developed, which is simple, specific, and sensitive. In this study, we rapidly (in 1 min) synthesized cDNA from the RNA of deformed wing virus (DWV)-infected bees (Apis mellifera), and then, within 10 min, amplified the target cDNA by ultra-rapid qPCR. The PCR products were hybridized to a DNA-chip for confirmation of target gene specificity. The results of this study suggest that our method might be a useful tool for detecting DWV, as well as for the diagnosis of RNA virus-mediated diseases on-site.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.111-118
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• 2018

This study was carried out to investigate the prevalence of honeybee (Apis mellifera) diseases in Gwangju area. From November 2016 to August 2017, 89 samples were collected from 33 apiculture farms and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and real time PCR were conducted. 14 infectious pathogens, including seven viruses, two bacteria, three fungi, and two parasites, were investigated from random apiculture farms in Gwangju. The percentage of infectious pathogens were as follows: Stonebrood (76.4%), Deformed wing virus (51.7%), Nosema (27.0%) in PCR and RT-PCR. This result indicated that Stonebrood was most prevalent disease in Gwangju area. And we could get similar results from real time PCR. 84.8% of farms have more than two of infectious pathogens. Stonebrood and Deformed wing virus were major diseases in almost all seasons and Black queen cell virus disease was especially prevalent in May.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.37-44
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• 2013

The ecologically and economically important honeybee species are susceptible to infections by various pathogens. This study was investigated to detect infectious pathogens in honeybee colonies reared in eastern Gyeongbuk province by PCR in 2010~2011. A total of 11 infectious pathogens, including 6 viruses, 2 bacteria, 2 fungi, and 1 parasite, were investigated in honeybee colonies suffering from symptoms of sudden collapse, depopulation, or paralysis. The infectious pathogens and infection rates among 24 honeybee colonies detected were as follows: sacbrood virus (66.7%), deformed wing virus (4.2%), black queen cell virus (12.5%), Kashmir bee virus (29.2%), American foulbrood (41.7%), European foulbrood (12.5%), stonebrood (45.8%), chalkbrood (4.2%), and Nosema (33.3%), respectively. Since the coinfection rates of multiple pathogens were detected high in honeybee colonies reared in eastern Gyeongbuk province, large-scale investigation and appropriate control programs need to be established in this region.

• Mycobiology
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.317-320
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• 2011

Honey production from approximately 1.6 million colonies owned by about 199,000 Korean beekeepers was almost 23,000 metric tons in 2009. Nosema causes significant losses in honey production and the virus decreases population size. We initiated a survey of honey bee colonies on the blooming period of Acacia to determine the prevalence of Nosema and virus in 2011. Most Korean beekeepers have moved from the south to north of Korea to get Acacia nectar for 2 mon. This provided a valuable opportunity to sample bees originating from diverse areas in one location. Twenty hives owned by 18 beekeepers were sampled in this year. Nosema spore counts ranged from zero to 1,710,000 spores per bee. The average number of nosema spores per bee was 580,000. Approximately 95% of the colonies were infected with Nosema, based on the presence of spores in the flowering period of Acacia. This indicates that Nosema is the predominant species affecting honeybee colonies. Also, the seven most important honeybee viruses were investigated by reverse transcription-PCR. Among them, four different viruses were detected in samples. Black queen cell virus was present in all samples. Chronic bee paralysis virus was detected in 10% of samples. Deformed wing virus was present in only 5% of the samples. Prevalence of Sacbrood virus was 15%. However, Cloudy wing virus, Israel acute paralysis virus and kashmir bee virus were not detected in any of samples.