Volume 64 (2014) Issue: 2014 No#1

A survey of deformed wing virus and acute bee paralysis virus in honey bee colonies from Serbia using real-time RT-PCR

Author(s): Simeunović Predrag, Stevanović Jevrosima, Vidanović Dejan, Nišavić Jakov, Radović Dejan, Stanišić Ljubodrag, Stanimirović Zoran

Keywords:DWV, ABPV, Varroa destructor, Serbian apiaries

In this study 55 honey bee colonies from different Serbian regions were monitored for the presence of Deformed Wing Virus (DWV) and Acute Bee Paralysis Virus (ABPV) using TaqMan-based real-time RT-PCR assay. The results revealed the presence of DWV in each sampling location, and ABPV in 10 out of 11 apiaries. High frequency of DWV (76.4%) and ABPV (61.8%) positive samples in asymptomatic colonies can be the consequence of inefficient and postponed Varroa treatment concerning the role of this mite in the transmission and activation of honey bee viruses. The real-time RT-PCR technique described in this paper is proved to be the most reliable method for this kind of investigation.