Experimental treatment of Nosema disease with "Nozevit" phyto-pharmacological preparation

Abstract

Nosema disease is a microsporidian Nosema sp. parasitic disease of adult bees. The disease is spread worldwide, and it causes significant losses to apiculture and economy in general. EU and Croatian regulations prohibit the use of antibiotics in the treatment of bee diseases, due to possible development of resistance to used chemotherapeutic agents, masking of disease, possible relapses, as well as harmful antibiotic residues or their secondary metabolites in bee products. Therefore, the production and use of natural phyto-pharmacological preparations in the treatment of Nosema disease is a necessity. The aim of this research was to test the preformance of the herbal preparation Nozevit as a preventive measure against artificial infection with Nosema sp. spores, and its curative effect in the treatment of bees affected by Nosema disease.