APPLICATION OF PCR FOR THE DETECTION OF VIRAL INFECTIONS IN THE HONEYBEE Apis mellifera IN THE NORTHERN REGIONS OF UKRAINE

Aim. This study investigated viruses of the western honeybee (Apis mellifera) from the northern regions of Ukraine using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Methods. To identify honeybee viruses, oligonucleotide primers, which are specific to a gene fragment encoding the capsid protein and a fragment of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase gene, were used. The reaction mixture contained 12.5 μL of master mix solution (DNA polymerase, dNTPs, and buffer), 1 μL of each primer (20 pmol/μL), 2 μL of cDNA, and water to a total volume of 25 μL. PCR products were visualized in a 2% agarose gel. Results. In the Zhytomyr region in Apis mellifera was revealed for the first time the presence of four viruses representing different taxonomic groups, in particular Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus (IAPV), Sacbrood Virus (SBV), Deformed Wing Virus (DWV) and Chronic Bee Paralysis Virus (CBPV). Three of these viruses (SBV, DWV, and CBPV) were detected in the Kyiv region, while two (SBV and DWV) were identified in the Chernihiv region. Conclusions. The obtained data indicate the widespread distribution of Apis mellifera honeybee viruses in the northern regions of Ukraine. The use of PCR to detect bee viruses will contribute to the development of effective methods for improving the health of bee colonies.