Detection of honey bee (Apis mellifera) viruses with an oligonucleotide microarray

In recent years, declines in honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies have been observed to varying degrees worldwide with the worst losses in the USA being termed Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). Pathogen load and the prevalence of honey bee viruses have been implicated in these losses and many diseased hives have multiple viruses present. We have designed and tested an oligonucleotide microarray which enables the simultaneous detection of nine honey bee viruses: Acute bee paralysis virus, Black queen cell virus, Chronic bee paralysis virus, Deformed wing virus, Kashmir bee virus, Sacbrood virus, Israel acute paralysis virus, Varroa destructor virus 1 and Slow paralysis virus. The microarray can be used to robustly diagnose nine viruses in one test.

A diagnostic microarray has been designed which simultaneously screens for the presence of nine honey bee (Apis mellifera) viruses: Acute bee paralysis virus, Black queen cell virus, Chronic bee paralysis virus, Deformed wing virus, Kashmir bee virus, Sacbrood virus, Israel acute paralysis virus, Varroa destructor virus 1 and Slow paralysis virus.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► A diagnostic microarray for the detection of nine honey bee viruses was designed.
► Specificity was tested with bees infected with BQCV, DWV, KBV, SBV, CBPV and IAPV.
► The microarray can be used to robustly test for multiple viruses in one test.