Investigation of clinical outbreaks of American foulbrood in honey-bee operations in Saskatchewan

Four outbreaks of American foulbrood were investigated in honey-bee operations in Saskatchewan during the summer of 2019. Clinical signs were confirmed by the Saskatchewan Provincial Specialist in Apiculture and the causative agent was cultured and identified through matrix-assisted laser desorption...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Canadian veterinary journal 2020-10, Vol.61 (10), p.1055-1059
Main Authors: Zabrodski, Michael W, Wilson, Geoff, Moshynskyy, Igor, Wentzell, Alexandra, Wood, Sarah C, Klein, Colby D, Kozii, Ivanna V, de Mattos, Igor Medici, Epp, Tasha, Simko, Elemir
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Anti-Infective Agents
Bees
Disease Outbreaks - veterinary
Honey
Saskatchewan - epidemiology
Scientific
Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization - veterinary
United States
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Summary:Four outbreaks of American foulbrood were investigated in honey-bee operations in Saskatchewan during the summer of 2019. Clinical signs were confirmed by the Saskatchewan Provincial Specialist in Apiculture and the causative agent was cultured and identified through matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Evaluation of management practices revealed off-label metaphylactic use of oxytetracycline in 3 of 4 operations and a discontinuation of antibiotic use in the fourth. Recent regulatory changes regarding access to medically important antimicrobials has provided an opportunity for veterinarians to promote evidence-based use of antimicrobials in apiculture while safe-guarding the health of commercial honeybee populations and the economic viability of their producers.
ISSN:0008-5286