The Investigation by PCR and Culture Methods of Foulbrood Diseases in Honey Bees in South Marmara Region

Abstract

American Foulbrood and European Foulbrood diseases of honeybees were examined in 725 beehives from 23 apiaries located in the South Marmara Region of Turkey. We determined that 19 apiaries were infected and the suspected clinical signs of foulbrood diseases were investigated in 102 beehives by PCR and cultural method. Broods and combs from colonies with suspected clinical symptoms of foulbrood diseases were collected and cultured for bacteriological examination. All of the specimens contaminated with bacteriae and 37 species of bacteriae were isolated such as Stapylococcus epidermidis, Bacillus subtilis, Corynebacterium jeikum, Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, Bacillus spp. All of these bacteria are related to human, animal and environmental origins. In this study, Paenibacillus larvae by PCR amplifying the 973-bp region PL1 and PL2 with 1f, Melissococcus plutonius amplifying the 973bp region EFB-F and EFB-R gene were amplified. American Foulbrood causative agent Paenibacillus larvae and European Foulbrood causative agent Melissococcus plutonius were not detected in any sample examined by PCR and cultural methods. On the other hand, Paenibacillus alvei that is a seconder agent to European Foulbrood was found in two samples by cultural methods. In conclusion, the results showed that P. larvae and M. plutonius are not present in South Marmara Region. In this study, human, animal and environment originated agents were isolated.