Coexistence between selected pathogens in honey bee workers

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the occurrence of Nosema apis, N. ceranae, Lotmaria passim, Crithidia mellificae and Varroa destructor pathogens in bee colonies located in areas with different floral sources of pollen, and to identify the correlations between these pathogens. The study was conducted in three Polish regions: Warmia and Mazury (A), Mazowsze (B) and Wielkopolska (C). Three apiaries were analyzed in each region: A1, A2 and A3 in region A; B1, B2 and B3 in region B; and C1, C2 and C3 in region C. Ten bee colonies without any symptoms of disease were randomly selected from each apiary. Pathogens were identified by PCR in pooled samples of 30 worker bees each. Samples from 90 (100%) honey bee colonies from 9 apiaries were analyzed. N. ceranae was detected in 68 samples (76.75%), and N. apis was identified in 19 samples (21.11%) but never alone and always in co-infection with N. ceranae. Lotmaria passim was present in 49 samples (54.44%). The presence of V. destructor females was determined in 44 samples (48.89%). Coexistence between L. passim, N. apis and N. ceranae were observed in selected regions.