Natural strategies for the control of Paenibacillus larvae ، the causative agent of American foulbrood in honey bees

Authors

1 Department of Agriculture, Minab Higher Education Institute, Hormozgan University, BandarAbbas. Iran

2 Department of Honeybee،Animal Science Research Institue of Iran،Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization،Karaj،Iran

Abstract

American foulbrood (AFB) is a severe bacterial disease that affects larvae of honey bees (Apis mellifera).
The causative agent of AFB is the spore-forming bacteria Paenibacillus larvae. The use of antibiotics for
the control of AFB has led to the appearance of resistant bacterial strains and residues in beehive products.
Nowadays, antibiotics are legally banned in several countries, and the affected colonies have to be destroyed
by burning the hives. Therefore, the development of alternative methods for the control and prevention
of AFB is necessary. In this context, different natural strategies based on the application of essential oils,
plant extracts, propolis, royal jelly, bacteria, and bacteriocines, have been studied in vitro and in vivo for the
prevention and control of P. larvae. The experimental data achieved from these studies are reviewed and
discussed in the present review, which intend to be a starting point for future research in the field.

Keywords

Honeybee Science Journal
Volume 09, Issue 17
February 2019
Pages 2-11

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