http://www.virologyj.com/content/6/1/221

Molecular approaches to the analysis of deformed wing virus replication and
pathogenesis in the honey bee, Apis mellifera
Background

For years, the understanding of the pathogenetic mechanisms that underlie
honey bee viral diseases has been severely hindered because of the lack of a
cell culture system for virus propagation. As a result, it is very
imperative to develop new methods that would permit the in vitro
pathogenesis study of honey bee viruses. The identification of virus
replication is an important step towards the understanding of the
pathogenesis process of viruses in their respective hosts. In the present
study, we developed a strand-specific RT-PCR-based method for analysis of
Deformed Wing Virus (DWV) replication in honey bees and in honey bee
parasitic mites, Varroa Destructor.
Results

The results shows that the method developed in our study allows reliable
identification of the virus replication and solves the problem of
falsely-primed cDNA amplifications that commonly exists in the current
system. Using TaqMan real-time quantitative RT-PCR incorporated with
biotinylated primers and magnetic beads purification step, we characterized
the replication and tissue tropism of DWV infection in honey bees. We
provide evidence for DWV replication in the tissues of wings, head, thorax,
legs, hemolymph, and gut of honey bees and also in Varroa mites.
Conclusion

The strategy reported in the present study forms a model system for studying
bee virus replication, pathogenesis and immunity. This study should be a
significant contribution to the goal of achieving a better understanding of
virus pathogenesis in honey bees and to the design of appropriate control
measures for bee populations at risk to virus infections.

-- 
Juanse Barros J.
APIZUR S.A.
Carrera 695
Gorbea - CHILE
+56-45-271693
08-3613310
http://apiaraucania.blogspot.com/
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