scholarly journals American foulbrood and its causative agent, Paenibacillus larvae, in New Zealand’s registered hives and apiaries

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Samantha Amy Montrose Graham
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Genetic Analysis ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
Causative Agent ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Paenibacillus Larvae ◽  
Bacterial Disease ◽  
American Foulbrood ◽  
Infection Rates

<p>Though the honey bee (Apis mellifera) is exposed to an extensive diversity of parasites and pathogens from multiple kingdoms, few are as devastating as American foulbrood. American foulbrood is a highly contagious bacterial disease, of which the causative agent (bacterium Paenibacillus larvae) infects honey bee brood through the ingestion of its spores, ultimately leading to the death of the infected larva and the collapse of the infected hive. Paenibacillus larvae’s genotypes (ERIC I-IV) exhibit differing ‘killing time’ of infected larvae, resulting in different larval and colony level virulence of the disease within hives.  American foulbrood is found in New Zealand’s registered hives, and poses a threat to the country’s apiculture industry. The first objective of this thesis was to perform a genetic analysis on New Zealand’s P. larvae field strains using the well-established methodology of rep-PCR with MBO REP1 primers. A total of 172 bacteria isolates were gathered from registered hives from 2011 to 2014 and examined. The MBO REP1 primer identifies the ‘beta’ genetic subgroups of P. larvae. By identifying beta subgroups, the ERIC genotypes that are present in New Zealand can also be concluded. The genetic analysis of P. larvae using rep-PCR is a first for New Zealand, and appears to be a first for Australasia. The second objective of this thesis was to conduct a temporal and geographical statistical analysis on American foulbrood infection rate trends in New Zealand’s national and regional, divided into seven regions, registered hives and apiaries from 1994 to 2013.  The genetic analysis of P. larvae detected three ‘beta’ genotypic subgroups: B, b, and Б. From these findings it was concluded that ERIC I and ERIC II are present in New Zealand. Previous to my findings, subgroup B and Б and ERIC II genotype had not been recorded outside of Europe. The statistical analysis reported that American foulbrood infection rates were significantly decreasing nationally. Results also reported that four of the seven regions’ infection rates were significantly decreasing, whilst three regions were significantly increasing.  Conclusions on the subgroups and genotypes present in New Zealand gives the first insight to the virulence and occurrence of P. larvae strains. Additionally, the use of rep-PCR for the genetic analysis of P. larvae enables this thesis to contribute to the increasing knowledge on American foulbrood. By examining the temporal and geographic dynamics of American foulbrood, the results allow for the evaluation of current management strategies and the most recent understanding on the national and regional infection rates of the disease.</p>

scholarly journals American foulbrood and its causative agent, Paenibacillus larvae, in New Zealand’s registered hives and apiaries

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Samantha Amy Montrose Graham
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Genetic Analysis ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
Causative Agent ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Paenibacillus Larvae ◽  
Bacterial Disease ◽  
American Foulbrood ◽  
Infection Rates

<p>Though the honey bee (Apis mellifera) is exposed to an extensive diversity of parasites and pathogens from multiple kingdoms, few are as devastating as American foulbrood. American foulbrood is a highly contagious bacterial disease, of which the causative agent (bacterium Paenibacillus larvae) infects honey bee brood through the ingestion of its spores, ultimately leading to the death of the infected larva and the collapse of the infected hive. Paenibacillus larvae’s genotypes (ERIC I-IV) exhibit differing ‘killing time’ of infected larvae, resulting in different larval and colony level virulence of the disease within hives.  American foulbrood is found in New Zealand’s registered hives, and poses a threat to the country’s apiculture industry. The first objective of this thesis was to perform a genetic analysis on New Zealand’s P. larvae field strains using the well-established methodology of rep-PCR with MBO REP1 primers. A total of 172 bacteria isolates were gathered from registered hives from 2011 to 2014 and examined. The MBO REP1 primer identifies the ‘beta’ genetic subgroups of P. larvae. By identifying beta subgroups, the ERIC genotypes that are present in New Zealand can also be concluded. The genetic analysis of P. larvae using rep-PCR is a first for New Zealand, and appears to be a first for Australasia. The second objective of this thesis was to conduct a temporal and geographical statistical analysis on American foulbrood infection rate trends in New Zealand’s national and regional, divided into seven regions, registered hives and apiaries from 1994 to 2013.  The genetic analysis of P. larvae detected three ‘beta’ genotypic subgroups: B, b, and Б. From these findings it was concluded that ERIC I and ERIC II are present in New Zealand. Previous to my findings, subgroup B and Б and ERIC II genotype had not been recorded outside of Europe. The statistical analysis reported that American foulbrood infection rates were significantly decreasing nationally. Results also reported that four of the seven regions’ infection rates were significantly decreasing, whilst three regions were significantly increasing.  Conclusions on the subgroups and genotypes present in New Zealand gives the first insight to the virulence and occurrence of P. larvae strains. Additionally, the use of rep-PCR for the genetic analysis of P. larvae enables this thesis to contribute to the increasing knowledge on American foulbrood. By examining the temporal and geographic dynamics of American foulbrood, the results allow for the evaluation of current management strategies and the most recent understanding on the national and regional infection rates of the disease.</p>

scholarly journals Involvement of secondary metabolites in the pathogenesis of the American foulbrood of honey bees caused by Paenibacillus larvae

2015 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 765-778 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Müller ◽  
Eva Garcia-Gonzalez ◽  
Elke Genersch ◽  
Roderich D. Süssmuth
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Metabolites ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
Causative Agent ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Paenibacillus Larvae ◽  
American Foulbrood ◽  
Fatal Disease ◽  
Gram Positive

The Gram-positive spore-forming bacterium Paenibacillus larvae is the causative agent of the fatal disease American Foulbrood of the western honey bee. This article highlights recent findings on secondary metabolites synthesized by P. larvae.

Diagnosis and molecular detection of Paenibacillus larvae, the causative agent of American foulbrood in honey bees in Saudi Arabia

2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (03) ◽  
pp. 137-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Javed Ansari ◽  
Ahmad Al-Ghamdi ◽  
Adgaba Nuru ◽  
Ashraf Mohamed Ahmed ◽  
Tahany H. Ayaad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
Causative Agent ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Paenibacillus Larvae ◽  
American Foulbrood ◽  
Apis Mellifera Jemenitica ◽  
Large Scale Field ◽  
American Foulbrood Disease ◽  
Phosphate Buffered Saline

AbstractApis mellifera jemenitica, the only indigenous honey bee race of Saudi Arabia, is well adapted to the harsh local environmental conditions. A large-scale field survey was conducted to screen major Saudi Arabian beekeeping locations for infection byPaenibacillus larvae. Paenibacillus larvaeis one of the major bacterial pathogens of honey bee broods and is the causative agent of American foulbrood disease. Larvae from samples suspected of infection were collected from different apiaries and homogenized in phosphate-buffered saline. Bacteria were isolated on MYPGP agar medium. Two bacterial isolates, ksuPL3 and ksuPL5 (16S rRNA GenBank accession numbers, KR780760 and KR780761, respectively), were subjected to molecular identification usingP. larvae-specific primers. A BLAST sequence analysis revealed that the two isolates wereP. larvaewith more than 98% sequence identity. This detection ofP. larvaein the indigenous honey bee is the first recorded incidence of this pathogen in Saudi Arabia. This study emphasizes the need for the relevant authorities to take immediate steps towards treating and limiting the spread of this disease throughout the country.

Identification and Treatment of European Foulbrood in Honey Bee Colonies

EDIS ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (1) ◽  
pp. 7
Author(s):  
Catherine M. Mueller ◽  
Cameron Jack ◽  
Ashley N. Mortensen ◽  
Jamie D. Ellis
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bee ◽  
Bacterial Disease ◽  
American Foulbrood ◽  
Fact Sheet ◽  
European Foulbrood ◽  
Bee Colonies ◽  
Honey Bee Larvae

European foulbrood is a bacterial disease that affects Western honey bee larvae. It is a concern to beekeepers everywhere, though it is less serious than American foulbrood because it does not form spores, which means that it can be treated. This 7-page fact sheet written by Catherine M. Mueller, Cameron J. Jack, Ashley N. Mortensen, and Jamie Ellis and published by the UF/IFAS Entomology and Nematology Department describes the disease and explains how to identify it to help beekeepers manage their colonies effectively and prevent the spread of both American and European foulbrood.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1272

scholarly journals Characterization of CRISPR Spacer and Protospacer Sequences in Paenibacillus larvae and Its Bacteriophages

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 459
Author(s):  
Casey Stamereilers ◽  
Simon Wong ◽  
Philippos K. Tsourkas
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Studies ◽  
Point Mutations ◽  
Paenibacillus Larvae ◽  
Bacterial Disease ◽  
American Foulbrood ◽  
Antibiotic Resistant ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Complete Genomes ◽  
Point Of Reference

The bacterium Paenibacillus larvae is the causative agent of American foulbrood, the most devastating bacterial disease of honeybees. Because P. larvae is antibiotic resistant, phages that infect it are currently used as alternative treatments. However, the acquisition by P. larvae of CRISPR spacer sequences from the phages could be an obstacle to treatment efforts. We searched nine complete genomes of P. larvae strains and identified 714 CRISPR spacer sequences, of which 384 are unique. Of the four epidemiologically important P. larvae strains, three of these have fewer than 20 spacers, while one strain has over 150 spacers. Of the 384 unique spacers, 18 are found as protospacers in the genomes of 49 currently sequenced P. larvae phages. One P. larvae strain does not have any protospacers found in phages, while another has eight. Protospacer distribution in the phages is uneven, with two phages having up to four protospacers, while a third of phages have none. Some phages lack protospacers found in closely related phages due to point mutations, indicating a possible escape mechanism. This study serve a point of reference for future studies on the CRISPR-Cas system in P. larvae as well as for comparative studies of other phage–host systems.

scholarly journals Paenibacillus larvae Phage Tripp Genome Has 378-Base-Pair Terminal Repeats

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Abraham ◽  
A.-C. Bousquet ◽  
E. Bruff ◽  
N. Carson ◽  
A. Clark ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
Base Pair ◽  
Paenibacillus Larvae ◽  
American Foulbrood ◽  
Terminal Repeats

Paenibacillus larvae bacteriophage Tripp was isolated from an American foulbrood diseased honey bee hive in North Carolina, USA. The 54,439-bp genome is 48.3% G+C, encodes 92 proteins, no tRNAs, and has 378-bp direct terminal repeats. It is currently unique in Genbank.

Ultra-rapid real-time PCR for the detection of Paenibacillus larvae, the causative agent of American Foulbrood (AFB)

2008 ◽  
Vol 99 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sang-Hoon Han ◽  
Do-Bu Lee ◽  
Dong-Woo Lee ◽  
Eul-Hwan Kim ◽  
Byoung-Su Yoon
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Causative Agent ◽  
Real Time Pcr ◽  
Paenibacillus Larvae ◽  
American Foulbrood

scholarly journals Screening of Paenibacillus Larvae Spores in Apiaries from Eastern Poland. Nationwide Survey. Part I

2012 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 539-545 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krystyna Pohorecka ◽  
Marta Skubida ◽  
Andrzej Bober ◽  
Dagmara Zdańska
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bee ◽  
Agar Medium ◽  
Culture Method ◽  
Nationwide Survey ◽  
Sheep Blood Agar ◽  
Paenibacillus Larvae ◽  
American Foulbrood ◽  
Sheep Blood ◽  
Bee Colonies ◽  
Culture Positive

Abstract Screening of the prevalence of Paenibacillus larvae spores in honey bee colonies in apiaries from 162 districts, belonging to nine provinces was carried out during 2009-2011. The honey samples were examined by the use of a culture method. Based on the number of CFUs grown on Columbia sheep blood agar medium, the level of infection and probability of American foulbrood outbreak was estimated. Altogether, 6,510 pooled honey samples from 32,550 bee colonies located in 2,294 apiaries were collected. P. larvae was identified in 45% of the surveyed apiaries. The widest distribution of P. larvae was found in the Małopolskie province. Culture-positive honey samples were obtained for 71% of the apiaries and in a half of them, the level of spores was high. In the Warmińsko-Mazurskie province, the presence of the bacterium was detected in 58% of the apiaries. In the remaining provinces, from 26% to 47% of the apiaries were contaminated with P. larvae spores

scholarly journals Complete Genome Sequences of Paenibacillus larvae Phages Halcyone, Heath, Scottie, and Unity from Las Vegas, Nevada

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Diane G. Yost ◽  
Carolyn Chang ◽  
Lucy LeBlanc ◽  
Erin Cassin ◽  
Ceara Peterman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Causative Agent ◽  
Complete Genome ◽  
Las Vegas ◽  
Paenibacillus Larvae ◽  
American Foulbrood ◽  
Genome Sequences ◽  
Content Type ◽  
American Foulbrood Disease

We present the complete genome sequences of four phages that infect Paenibacillus larvae, the causative agent of American foulbrood disease in honeybees. The phages were isolated from beehives and beeswax products from Las Vegas, Nevada.

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