I'm with Mark, if you have melted larvae and the ropiness associated with
AFB, you have AFB. The tests are for verification; a second opinion -- which
is useful if there is any dispute. 

For most people, the smart money is on zero tolerance. I don't subscribe to
any thresholds because there aren't any accepted thresholds. Furthermore,
how will you determine "how bad" the case is?

Let's say you decide 5 cells or less, is treatable. How will you find out
how many infected cells the colony has? You will have to tear open every
cell! What is the point of that!

If I find it, I recommend the NY State procedure: kill and burn the hive.
Otherwise you run the risk of having it forever. Of course, some commercial
operations have AFB firmly entrenched.

But look! Some commercial outfits have NO AFB. Zero. What group would you
rather be in? The no AFB group or the ones that have to destroy hives every
year. (Or worse, cover it up with antibiotics).

Just my opinions.

pb

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