Molecular Detection and Epidemiological Evaluation of Acute Bee Paralysis Virus in Honey Bees from Isparta, Türkiye

Abstract

Acute Bee Paralysis Virus (ABPV) is an important viral pathogen associated with colony losses in bees. This study investigated the presence of ABPV in hives from Isparta, Türkiye, by RT-PCR and statistically evaluated its association with selected epidemiological variables. Samples from 25 apiaries collected in 2025 were subjected to total RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis, and PCR amplification of a 460 bp fragment of the ABPV polyprotein gene. ABPV positivity was 52.0% (13/25; 95% CI: 31.3–72.2). Only colony strength was significantly associated with positivity (p=0.001), with higher odds in weak colonies (OR=36.67). These findings indicate widespread regional circulation of ABPV.

Keywords

• Acute Bee Paralysis Virus
• honey bee
• epidemiology
• RT-PCR

Supporting Institution

This study was supported by the TÜBİTAK 2209-A University Students Research Projects Support Program (Project No: 1919B012403718) and the Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit of Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University (Project No: 1191-ÖDEP/3-25) , within the scope of the project entitled “Molecular Investigation of the Presence of Acute Bee Paralysis Virus in Honey Bees from the Isparta Region.”

Project Number

1919B012403718 / 1191-ÖDEP/3-25

Ethical Statement

This study was conducted on honey bee (Apis mellifera) samples. The Local Ethics Committee for Animal Experiments of Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University stated in its official letter dated 12 May 2025 and numbered E-93773921-020-521421 that ethical approval is not required for studies involving honey bees, larvae, and brood. The official letter is provided as a supplementary document.

Isparta İlindeki Bal Arılarında Akut Arı Felci Virüsünün Moleküler Tespiti ve Epidemiyolojik Değerlendirmesi

Abstract

Akut Arı Felci Virusu (ABPV), bal arılarında koloni zayıflığı ve kayıplarıyla ilişkili önemli bir viral etkendir. Bu çalışmada, Isparta ilindeki bal arılarında ABPV varlığı RT-PCR ile araştırıldı ve seçilmiş epidemiyolojik değişkenlerle ilişkisi istatistiksel olarak değerlendirildi. 2025 yılında 25 gezginci ve sabit arılıktan toplanan örneklerde toplam RNA ekstraksiyonu, cDNA sentezi ve ABPV poliprotein geninin 460 bp’lik bölgesinin amplifikasyonu gerçekleştirildi. ABPV pozitifliği %52.0 (13/25; %95 GA: 31.3–72.2) olarak belirlendi. Yalnızca koloni gücü ile anlamlı ilişki saptandı (p=0.001); zayıf kolonilerde pozitiflik olasılığı daha yüksekti (OR=36.67). Bulgular, ABPV’nin bölgede yaygın olduğunu göstermektedir.

Keywords

• Acute Bee Paralysis Virus
• bal arısı
• epidemiyoloji
• RT-PCR

Supporting Institution

Bu çalışma, TÜBİTAK 2209-A Üniversite Öğrencileri Araştırma Projeleri Destekleme Programı (Proje No: 1919B012403718) ve Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy Üniversitesi Bilimsel Araştırma Projeleri Koordinatörlüğü (1191-ÖDEP/3-25) tarafından desteklenen “Isparta Yöresindeki Bal Arılarında Acute Bee Paralysis Virus Varlığının Moleküler Olarak Araştırılması” başlıklı proje kapsamında yürütülmüştür.

Project Number

1919B012403718 / 1191-ÖDEP/3-25

Ethical Statement

Bu çalışma bal arısı (Apis mellifera) örnekleri üzerinde yürütülmüştür. Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy Üniversitesi Deney Hayvanları Yerel Etik Kurulu Başkanlığı’nın 12.05.2025 tarihli ve E-93773921-020-521421 sayılı yazısında, bal arısı, larva ve yavruları üzerinde gerçekleştirilen çalışmalar için etik kurul onayı gerekmediği bildirilmiştir. Bu doğrultuda çalışma, etik kurul onayı gerektirmeyen araştırmalar kapsamında değerlendirilmiştir. İlgili resmi yazı ek belge olarak sunulmuştur.

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