Molecular detection of Nosema spp. and black queen-cell virus in honeybees in Van Province, Turkey

Abstract

This study was planned to determine the prevalences of theNosemaspp. and the black queen-cell virus (BQCV) amonghoneybees ( Apis mellifera ) raised in the province of Van by PCR and to determine the molecular characteristics of the determinedisolates. A total of 260 adult worker bees from 26 colonies at 5 apiary locations belonging to the province of Van in April and May2015 were collected for this reason. Samples were examined microscopically. In the case of positivity, spore identification was done bymultiplex PCR. Reverse transcription/PCR analysis (RT/PCR) was carried out for the BQCV analysis. At the end of the microscopicexamination,Nosemaspp. spores were detected in 8 out of 26 colonies (32.5%). The result of multiplex-PCR revealedNosema ceranae positivity in all of the samples, but noNosema apiswas determined. As a result of the RT/PCR tests of the samples BQCV was detectedin 23 (88.5%) of the total 26 colonies. This study is the first to investigateNosemaspp. and BQCV with the PCR technique in bees raisedin the province of Van.