Standing Commission of Bee Pathology PRELIMINARY STUDIES INTO NOVEL DETECTION METHODS FOR HONEYBEE PATHOGENS

The National Bee Unit, part of the Central Science Laboratory (an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Defra) has been developing novel techniques for detection of bee pathogens. Two different methods are under examination, an antibody-based test for identification of foulbrood diseases for use in the field, and a nucleotide-based laboratory test for viruses and differentiation of bee species. The foulbrood field test kits are to detect the pathogenic micro-organisms Melissococcus plutonius and Paenibacillus larvae subsp. larvae. Monoclonal antibodies (IgG) were developed at CSL, using freshly isolated bacterial cultures obtained from infected material. The kits (termed lateral flow devices) are based on existing technology owned by CSL. Antibodies underwent vigorous screening for specificity to the relevant bacterium, testing for cross-reactivity with other bacteria commonly found in honeybee colonies, including Paenibacillus alvei and Brevibacillus laterosporus. Suitability for use in the lateral flow devices was also tested. The kits for AFB were validated in the laboratory in 2002, ready for field testing in 2003, and those for EFB are under development, with anticipated laboratory testing in 2003. The technique for detection of viruses and different bee species is based on a real-time PCR method called Taqman®. Genetic sequences for many bee-related viruses are available and primers to certain viruses (including Kashmir Bee Virus and Acute Paralysis Virus) have been designed to detect them from honeybee samples. Although in early stages, indications so far are very promising. The methodology has a high sample through-put, with potentially 1500 tests achievable each week, detecting four different viruses simultaneously. This technology thus has great potential for surveillance projects both in the UK and overseas. A DNA probe capable of identifying Africanised honeybee DNA has also been developed, in order to survey for Africanised bees.