Research Summary

Citation: Waite, R., Jackson, S., and Thompson, H. (2003). Preliminary investigations into possible resistance to oxytetracycline in Melissococcus plutonius, a pathogen of honeybee larvae. Letters in Applied Microbiology 36: 20-24.

Web Link:Preliminary investigations into possible resistance to oxytetracycline in Melissococcus plutonius, a pathogen of honeybee larvae.

Brief Description: In the United Kingdom, where this study occurred, the antibiotic oxytetracycline (OTC), trade name Terramycin®, has been used since the 1960's to treat for European foulbrood (EFB). It is not however used in the UK to treat American foulbrood (AFB). Instead, AFB colonies are destroyed. In the United States where OTC is commonly used as a preventative for AFB, some strains of AFB have been found to be resistant to OTC. AFB is caused by a different bacteria then EFB.

This study set out to determine if the causative agent of EFB was showing any signs of resistance to the antibiotic OTC, in the UK for the year 2002. The causative agent of EFB is the bacteria Melissococcus plutonius. Samples of bee lavae infected with M. plutonius were obtained from colonies via the National Bee Unit in the UK. Pure cultures of M. plutonius were developed in the lab which represent 12 different locations in England and Wales. M. plutonius was found to be clearly susceptible to the antibiotics.

Implications: Antibiotic resistance had been proposed as a reason recurrence of EFB was happening in problematic apiaries of the study area. Since isolates from these apiaries were clearly susceptible, antibiotic resistance is not likely to be the reason for recurrence of infection.

The authors also point out that use of the antibiotic OTC in the UK as a preventive of American foulbrood is illegal. They suggest that being conservative with OTC in the UK may help help keep EFB susceptible. Also if treatment with OTC in the control of EFB does not work, the colony is destroyed. This too may help keep EFB susceptible to OTC.

(Reviewers note: In the USA, there are differences in OTC and treatment options as compared to the UK. Due to this, and likely other factors, this study may not predict the susceptibility of European foulbrood to OTC in the USA.)

summary/review by Michael Wilson, University of Tennessee

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