Molecular diagnostics of the honey bee parasites Lotmaria passim and Crithidia spp. (Trypanosomatidae) using multiplex PCR
Keywords:
Apis mellifera, molecular diagnostics, parasite, trypanosomeAbstract
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.
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