Relation between nosema and chalkbrood diseases, and its implication for an apiary management model

Aydin L., Gulegen E., Cakmak İ., Girisgin A. O., Wells H.

BULLETIN OF THE VETERINARY INSTITUTE IN PULAWY, vol.50, no.4, pp.471-475, 2006 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 50 Issue: 4
  • Publication Date: 2006
  • Journal Name: BULLETIN OF THE VETERINARY INSTITUTE IN PULAWY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.471-475
  • Keywords: Apis mellifera, nosema, chalkbrood, amoeba disease, INFECTIONS, APIS
  • Bursa Uludag University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of chalkbrood disease co-occurring with and without nosema disease, in order to develop a potential model for decisions about initiating treatment for Nosema apis infection. In addition, the prevalence of Malpighamoeba mellificae (amoeba disease) in nosema-infected colonies was examined. Forty out of 168 colonies examined were found to be infected with N. apis, but macroscopic clinical signs were detected in only 3 of these colonies. Nosema infection was encountered in 54% of the apiaries. In 3 clinically positive colonies the average number of N. apis spores per bee was calculated to be 1.2 x 10(6). Secondary infections (amoeba and chalkbrood diseases) were found to be common in nosema positive colonies (30% and 62.5% respectively). We explored the possibility of using chalkbrood as a sign of nosema infection using Baye's Theorem. The predictive value of a negative test is high, but not of a positive test.