Spiroplasmas as Causative Agents of Honey Bees Diseases

Spiroplasmas are bacteria that play a significant role in the development of bee diseases. Infections of bees with spiroplasmas have been registered in Europe, America and Asia, and such infections occur through contaminated food, the sting of Varroa destructor, and vertically. The most important species that cause bee spiroplasmosis are conditionally pathogenic bacteria Spiroplasma apis and Spiroplasma melliferum. S. apis causes the neurological “May disease” which occurs in France, and S. melliferum causes the bee crawling disease which occurs in China; these two diseases stand out based on the specific symptoms and place of occurrence. Spiroplasmas are widely distributed in nature and relatively resistant to desiccation and the action of other external factors. The most important reservoir of spiroplasmas are insects, where they normally inhabit the digestive tract and have a beneficial role for the host, but some can also be pathogenic. All sources of spiroplasmas in the environment are still not known and insufficiently studied. Considering the increasing negative impact of non-specific factors affecting bees, the risk of diseases caused by spiroplasmas is increasing. In order to prevent the occurrence of diseases caused by spiroplasmas, it is important to study further the sources of spiroplasmas and other factors significant for the occurrence of infection and to implement appropriate measures of good beekeeping practice, good veterinary practice and to strengthen the immune system of bee colonies.