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Deformed wing virus type a and b in managed honeybee colonies of Argentina
C Brasesco1,2, S Quintana1,2,3, V Di Gerónimo3
1Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales, Laboratorio de Artrópodos, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Mar del Plata, Argentina.
Abstract:
Apis mellifera is infected by more than 24 virus species worldwide, mainly positive-sense, single-stranded RNA viruses of the Dicistroviridae and Iflaviridae families. Among the viruses that infect honey bees, Deformed wing virus is the most prevalent and is present as three master variants DWV-A, B, and C. Given that the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor vectors these virus variants, recombination events between them are expected, and variants and their recombinants can co-exist in mites and honeybees at the same time. In this study, we detect, through RT-qPCR, the presence of DWV-A and B in the same samples of adult bees from colonies of Argentina. Total RNA was extracted from pools of ten adult bees from 45 apiaries distributed across the main beekeeping Provinces of Argentina (Buenos Aires, Santa Fe, Córdoba, Santiago del Estero, Río Negro, and Mendoza); then RT-qPCR reactions were performed to detect DWV-A and B, with specific primer pairs. After the amplifications, PCR products (204 and 660 bp amplicons for DWV-B, and ~250 bp for DWV-A) were purified and sequenced to verify that they corresponded to reported sequences, analyzing them using the Blast software. Of the 45 samples analyzed by RT-qPCR, over 90% were infected with DWV-A and 47% were also positive for DWV-B, where it was found in high prevalence specifically in colonies of A. mellifera of the Buenos Aires Province. Future studies will determine the impact of this type of the virus and its ability to recombine with the other DWV types in the apiaries of our country.
Insights
Deformed wing virus (DWV) variants A and B were detected in Argentine honey bees (Apis mellifera). Over 90% of samples had DWV-A, while 47% also showed DWV-B, particularly in Buenos Aires Province.
Area of Science:
- Apiculture and Pollinator Health
- Virology and Molecular Biology
- Insect Pathology
Background:
- Honey bees (Apis mellifera) are susceptible to over 24 RNA virus species globally.
- Deformed wing virus (DWV) is a prevalent honey bee pathogen, existing as three main variants: DWV-A, DWV-B, and DWV-C.
- The ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor is a known vector for DWV variants, facilitating co-infection and potential recombination.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detect and quantify the prevalence of Deformed wing virus variants A and B in honey bee colonies across Argentina.
- To investigate the co-occurrence of DWV-A and DWV-B in adult Apis mellifera bees.
- To identify geographical hotspots for DWV-B prevalence within Argentina.
Main Methods:
- Adult honey bees were collected from 45 apiaries across six major Argentine provinces.
- Total RNA was extracted from pooled bee samples (10 bees per pool).
- Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) with specific primers was used to detect DWV-A and DWV-B, followed by PCR product sequencing and BLAST analysis for verification.
Main Results:
- DWV-A was detected in over 90% of the analyzed samples.
- DWV-B was detected in 47% of the samples, indicating significant co-infection rates.
- High prevalence of DWV-B was specifically observed in honey bee colonies from the Buenos Aires Province.
Conclusions:
- DWV-A and DWV-B are widespread in Argentine honey bee populations.
- The high co-infection rate of DWV-A and DWV-B warrants further investigation into their synergistic effects and recombination potential.
- Understanding DWV prevalence and co-infection dynamics is crucial for managing honey bee health in Argentina.
