Molecular Characterization and Phylogenetic Analysis of Deformed Wing Virus in Honey Bees (Apis Mellifera), North of Iran

Introduction: Deformed wing virus (DWV) is one of the major bee viruses that can be transmitted by the Varroa destructor mite and is a key contributor to honey bee colony collapse. To date, three main variants of the DWV (DWV-A, DWV-B, DWV-C) have been described.Materials & Methods: In the present study, bee samples showing signs of DWV infection and Varroa infestation were collected from two different farms in Alborz Province, northern Iran. The samples were screened for the presence of DWV genome and also other bee viral pathogens including chronic bee paralysis virus, acute bee paralysis virus, Kashmir bee virus, and sac brood virus, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Results: PCR results indicated that among collected samples, two samples were positive for DWV, while all samples were negative for other viral disease. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the detected DWVs clustered within the DWV-A genotype. Homology analysis of isolate UT-SHN۰۷ showed approximately ۹۹% similarity to isolate PA and DWV-A-OR-OCT۲۰۱۸-EVR۲۳ from USA, as well as to DWV-Iraq-۲۰۲۳ and the reference sequence NC۰۰۴۸۳۰ from Iraq and Italy, respectively. For the other isolate, UT-SHN۶۲, homology analysis showed ۱۰۰% similarity with isolate PA from USA and ۹۹% similarity with DWV-A-OR-OCT۲۰۱۸-EVR۲۳, DWV-Iraq-۲۰۲۳, NC۰۰۴۸۳۰ and Gotland-۲ sequences from the USA, Iraq, Italy and Sweden, respectively. Conclusion: Iran is ranked among top ۱۰ honey-producing countries, and continuous monitoring of circulating viruses and Varroa mites, the key contributors to colony losses, is essential. Further molecular and phylogenetic studies are recommended to better understand the current status of honey bee viral disease in Iran.

کلیدواژه ها:

honeybee ، Deformed wing virus (DWV) ، Colony loss ، phylogeny ، Homology