MOLECULAR DIAGNOSIS OF AMERICAN FOULBROOD IN HONEYBEE BROOD IN BULGARIA

The analysis of the 47 isolates for identification of Paenibacillus larvae, obtained of honeybee brood with American foulbrood(AFB) symptoms from 9 different districts of Bulgaria by conventional PCR technique was performed. Specific DNAproducts by size 1106 bp were obtained from the 42 isolates. Five isolates were PCR negative for AFB (P. larvae). The resultsshowed that PCR assay is specific and sensitive method for molecular identification of Paenibacillus larvae and can provide arapid and reliable diagnosis of infected honeybee brood.