Molecular diagnostics of the honey bee parasites Lotmaria passim and Crithidia spp. (Trypanosomatidae) using multiplex PCR

Authors

  • A. L. Szalanski Department of Entomology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701, USA
  • C. E. Trammel Department of Entomology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701, USA
  • A. D. Tripodi USDA-ARS, Pollinating Insects Research Unit, Logan, Utah 84322, USA
  • D. Cleary Department of Entomology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701, USA
  • L. Rusert Hawaii Department of Agriculture, Hilo, Hawaii 96720, USA
  • D. Downey Hawaii Department of Agriculture, Hilo, Hawaii 96720, USA

Keywords:

Apis mellifera, molecular diagnostics, parasite, trypanosome

Abstract

Summary

Lotmaria passim Schwarz (Trypanosomatidae) is a recently described trypanosome parasite of honey bees in the continental United States, Europe, and Japan. We developed a multiplex PCR technique using PCR primers specific for L. passim or Crithidia species to distinguish L. passim from C. mellificae Langridge and McGhee. We report the presence of L. passim in Hawaii and American Samoa for the first time. More importantly, this multiplex PCR will be a useful diagnostic technique for screening honey bee samples for the presence of this pathogenic trypanosome.

 

Sumario

Lotmaria passim Schwarz (Tripanosomatidae) es un parásito tripanosoma recientemente descrito de las abejas melíferas en el territorio continental de los Estados Unidos, Europa y Japón. Hemos desarrollado una técnica de PCR múltiple usando cebadores de PCR específicos para L. passim o Crithidia spp. para distinguir L. passim de C. mellificae. Reportamos la presencia de L. passim en Hawai y Samoa Americana por primera vez. Más importante aún, este PCR multiplex será una técnica de diagnóstico útil para la revisión de muestras de abejas de la miel y la presencia de este tripanosoma patógeno.

 

View this article in BioOne

Downloads

Published

2016-12-31

Issue

Vol. 99, No. 4 (December 2016)

Section

Scientific Notes

License

Copyright for any article published in Florida Entomologist is held by the author(s) of the article. Florida Entomologist is an open access journal. Florida Entomologist follows terms of the Creative Commons, Attribution Non-Commercial License (cc by-nc). By submitting and publishing articles in Florida Entomologist, authors grant the FOJ and Florida Entomologist's host institutions permission to make the article available through Internet posting and electronic dissemination, and to otherwise archive the information contained both electronically and in a hard printed version. When used, information and images obtained from articles must be referenced and cited appropriately. Articles may be reproduced for personal, educational, or archival purposes, or any non-commercial use. Permission should be sought from the author(s) for multiple, non-commercial reproduction. Written permission from the author(s) is required for any commercial reproduction.