3.1 Field diagnosis of AFB and EFB and detailed account of signs

Question 1

Field diagnosis - step by step

Answer 1

Notifiable disease under Bee Diseases & Pests Control Order (England) 2006
Notify The Animal and Plant Agency’s National Bee Unit if suspicious and follow their instructions precisely.
Place apiary and kit under self-imposed standstill
Bee inspector will
Inspect visually
Use lateral flow device
Later confirm test in laboratory
Diagnosis -> Standstill order confirmed by RBI until lifted in writing by RBI
AFB: Colony destruction by RBI
EFB: Colony destruction/antibiotics/shook swarm at discretion of RBI
Beekeeper MAY NOT administer antibiotics

Question 2

Testing using LFD

Advantages and disadvantages

Answer 2

Advantages of LFD:
o Available for both AFB and EFB
o Can be used in the field
o Established and accepted technology
o Stable – shelf-lives of 12–24 months often without refrigeration
o Ease of use: minimal operator-dependent steps and interpretation
o Accuracy: LFDs detected Melissococcus plutonius in 96–100% (n = 137) of EFB-infected samples in
laboratory trials. Field validation was equally robust: LFD-testing on site gave correct diagnoses for 96% (n = 184) of samples; false positives were rare (~1%).”
Disadvantages of LFD:

o Indicates only the presence of the disease, not its level
o Results must be recorded manually
o Based on a specific antibody; test might become ineffective if new strains emerge.

Question 3

Testing using LFD

Answer 3

To test for either foulbrood using an LFD, put a sample of suspect infected larval material into the buffer bottle and shake it for about 20 seconds. Then put 2-3 drops of the resulting suspension onto the LFD. The blue lines at the C (Control) and T (Test) lines indicate a positive result.

Question 4

Differences between when each EFB and AFB become evident 3

Answer 4

1. Both of brood - no symptoms in adults
2. EFB before capped- bacteriaum
3. AFB after capping - spore forming bacterium – v resilient
4. Possible to have both on same comb.