The Detection of Acute Paralysis Virus in<i>Varroa Jacobsoni</i>by the Use of a Simple Indirect Elisa

Abstract

SummaryA simple indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect and quantify acute paralysis virus (APV) in individual female Varroa jacobsoni collected from naturally infested honeybee (Apis mellifera) colonies in the Netherlands and Germany. The assay was very specific and sensitive, detecting the virus in concentrations as low as 3 ng/ml. Mites collected from both adult honeybees and sealed brood cells contained APV but virus concentrations varied widely between individuals. The possible role of V. jacobsoni as a vector of honeybee virus diseases is discussed.