Procedures For The Culture Of Melissococcus Pluton From Diseased Brood And Bulk Honey Samples
Author(s)
Michael A Z Hornitzky; Lisa Smith
Abstract
European foulbrood (EFB), caused by Melissococcus pluton, was first confirmed in Australia in 1977 (Tham, 1978). The diagnosis of EFB in Australia is routinely achieved by the examination of carbol fuchsin stained smears prepared from diseased brood (Hornitzky, 1993). Larvae are considered to have EFB if smears contain lanceolate cocci typical of M. pluton. The presence of the common secondary invaders Enterococcus faecalis and/or Paenibacillus alvei is presumptive evidence of EFB (Bailey & Ball, 1991).
Keywords
European foulbrood, Melissococcus pluton, honey bee brood, culture techniques, honey
