Viruses Genomes - ACUTE BEE PARALYSIS VIRUS

Viral diseases of honeybees are a major concern in apiculture, causing serious colony losses worldwide.

Paralysis, a minor disease of adult honey bees, is usually associated with filterable vrruses. Two different viruses, chronic bee paralysis virus (CBPV) and acute bee paralysis virus (ABPV), have been isolated from paralytic bees. Other suspected causes of paralysis include pollen and nectar from such plants as buttercup, rhododendron, laurel, and some species of basswood; deficient pollen during brood rearing in the early spring; and consumption of stored fermented pollen.

Bees affected by this disease tremble uncontrollably and are unable to fly. In addition, they lose the hair from their bodies and have a dark, shiny, or greasy appearance. Paralytic bees are submissive to attack. When paralysis is serious, large numbers of afflicted bees can be found at the colony entrance, crawling up the sides of the hive and blades of grass, and tumbling to the ground. Healthy bees often tug at infected bees in an effort to drive them away from the hive. Affected bees also may be found on top bars or frames next to the hive cover with wings extended.

ABPV is a virus that effects mainly the honeybee ( Apis mellifera). ABPV has also been found in bumblebees and is the only bee virus known to have a natural alternate host . This virus spreads by way of salivary gland secretions of adult bees and in food stores to which these secretions are added. In Europe and North America, ABPV has been shown to kill adult bees and bee larvae in colonies infested with the mite Varroa jacobsoni. The mite damages bee tissues and, in so doing, may act as a vector, releasing viral particles into the hemolymph. The biology of bee viral diseases, their relationship with mites, and their effects on bees are poorly understood. Analysis of the complete genome sequence of Acute Bee Paralysis Virus will provide a better understanding of the relationship among viruses, mites and colony decline.

The genome sequencing project has stated that the overall genome structure of ABPV showed similarities to those of Drosophila C virus, Plautia stali intestine virus, Rhopalosiphum padi virus, and Himetobi P virus, which have been classified into a novel group of picorna-like insect-infecting RNA viruses called cricket paralysis-like viruses. It is suggested that ABPV belongs to the cricket paralysis-like viruses.

References:

http://maarec.cas.psu.edu/bkCD/Bee_Diseases/paralysis.html
http://home.earthlink.net/~beeactor/free/adult_diseases_insects/1515.htm
http://esa.confex.com/esa/2002/techprogram/paper_8568.htm