Why is this research important for Alberta ag?
European foulbrood (EFB) is a re-emerging bacterial disease of honey bees in western Canada caused by infection with the bacterium Melissococcus plutonius. The estimated annual economic impact of an EFB outbreak to the Alberta apiculture industry is over $35M. Despite the economic importance of EFB in western Canada, the pathogenesis (mechanism of EFB development within a colony) is poorly understood and the therapeutic and preventive efficacy of antimicrobials used for EFB control has not been fully investigated.
EFB re-emergence in western Canada may be due to antimicrobial resistance and/or suboptimal therapeutic efficacy of antibiotics used for EFB control. Researchers will determine effective therapeutic doses of antimicrobials for control of EFB disease in honey bee larvae, adult workers and honey bee colonies using previously established in vitro and in vivo (within a colony) EFB infection models. Furthermore, researchers will characterize the persistence of M. plutonius infection in asymptomatic adult workers to enhance understanding of EFB disease transmission.
The overall outcome of this research will be to enhance antimicrobial stewardship in the beekeeping industry.
What benefits can producers expect from this research?
Evidence-based antimicrobial therapy will minimize the risk of EFB outbreaks, and in turn, enhance the production and quality of western Canadian honey and pollination services.
How will these research findings reach producers on-farm?
Findings will be shared through a practical field guide for beekeepers.
Funded in part by the Government of Canada under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.