The first case of Co-infection of Sacbrood virus and Varroa destructor virus-1 in honey bees (Apis mellifera L., 1758)

ZEREK A., Şevik M., ERDEM İ., YAMAN M.

Journal of the Hellenic Veterinary Medical Society, cilt.76, sa.2, ss.9385-9390, 2025 (SCI-Expanded) identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 76 Sayı: 2
  • Basım Tarihi: 2025
  • Doi Numarası: 10.12681/jhvms.36354
  • Dergi Adı: Journal of the Hellenic Veterinary Medical Society
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, CAB Abstracts, Veterinary Science Database
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.9385-9390
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Honey bee, mixed infection, SBV, Türkiye, VDV-1
  • Hatay Mustafa Kemal Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Viral infections can occur at all developmental stages of honey bees and are of great concern for the beekeeping industry as they cause significant economic losses in beehives. The aim of this study is to investigate sudden bee mortalities and colony losses in an apiary. In 2022, high levels of bee mortality were observed in an apiary in Kırıkhan district of Hatay province. In order to determine the cause of bee mortality, adult worker bee samples (n = 50) were collected from hives within the apiary. Collected bee samples were processed for RNA extraction. One step real time RT-PCR methods were applied for the detection of Sacbrood virus (SBV) and Varroa destructor virus-1 (VDV-1). The one step real time RT-PCR analyses revealed the presence of mixed infection with SBV and VDV-1 viruses in the apiary. As far as we know, this study is the first report of a mixed infection of SBV and VDV-1 in honey bees. Additional comprehensive studies are needed to better understand the epidemiology of mixed infections caused by viruses in honey bees.