American Foulbrood—Old and Always New Challenge

Abstract

American foulbrood (AFB) is exclusively an infectious disease of honey bee larvae (Apis mellifera) and their subspecies that is spread easily and rapidly and is often present in apiaries. Due to the resistance and pathogenicity of the bacterial causative agent of the disease, which has considerable epizootiological and economic significance for beekeeping, AFB was classified as a highly dangerous, infectious animal disease by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH). Considering the severity of the infection, a frequent occurrence, rapid and easy spread, epizooty and enzooty are common. We tried to present an overview of the latest information related to AFB through several chapters. In addition to the latest data on the etiology of the causative agent, the most important elements of the clinical signs of the disease are also listed. Along with an overview of classic microbiological and the latest molecular methods of diagnosis, we also discuss AFB treatment from its differential diagnostic aspect. We hope that through demonstrating the mentioned preventive measures and measures of good beekeeping practice, the review will contribute to the preservation of the health of bees and therefore the overall biodiversity of the planet.

Probing the interaction of Paenibacillus larvae bacteriophage as a biological agent to control the american foulbrood disease in honeybee

“…This strict approach is due to the extreme contagiousness of AFB spores and the subsequent high risk of transmission to surrounding apiaries, including those managed by beekeepers and wild pollinator populations. The wide spread of the American foulbrood causative agent, as suggested by ( Daisley et al, 2020 , Matović et al, 2023 ), that P. larvae may exist as a pathobiont in the native microbiota of adult worker bees, from where it is passively and constitutively transmitted throughout the hive to fresh brood cells. All the symptoms matched descriptions of AFB disease by Genersch, (2010a) and Yost et al, (2016) .…”

Analysis of Tunisian Beekeepers' Perceptions in Honey Bee Diseases and Pests Management

“…Bacterial diseases such as the European Foulbroods (EFB) and the American Foulbroods (AFB) and the severe bee rot, Pestis apium may cause serious losses of brood and colony collapse, and are notifiable to OIE. These diseases represent the most prevalent and highly dangerous of the honey bee brood diseases, leading to high morbidity (Matović et al, 2023). These agents have been detected in countries on all continents (Boncristiani et al, 2020), thus have economic significance for beekeeping industry worldwide (Matović et al, 2023).…”

“…These diseases represent the most prevalent and highly dangerous of the honey bee brood diseases, leading to high morbidity (Matović et al, 2023). These agents have been detected in countries on all continents (Boncristiani et al, 2020), thus have economic significance for beekeeping industry worldwide (Matović et al, 2023). In addition to its harmful effects on biodiversity and natural resources, climate change impairs bee health and can exacerbate indirectly the severity and distribution of pests and diseases.…”

“…Since both FB are bacterial diseases affecting bee broods/ larvae, beekeepers can do visual inspection of brood combs. For AFB diagnosis, they can observe changes in the color, layout, and integrity of the cell caps, detectable twenty days after the larvae infection (Matović et al, 2023). For EFB diagnosis, they will notice irregular capping of the brood; capped and uncapped cells are found irregularly scattered over the brood frame (called pepper pot brood) (Forsgren et al, 2013).…”

The microbial status of bee families Apis melifera during the winter period

“…These diseases are dangerous and affect both adult bees and their brood (Salmonellosis, Collibacilosis, Viral septicemia, American and European foulbrood, Aspergyllosis, etc.). For this reason, the health of the bee families and the efficiency of their activity depends on the veterinary sanitary measures undertaken by the beekeeper in close contact with veterinarians (3,4,5,6).…”