Beginning Beekeeping 2018

Beginning Beekeeping 2018

Attended the Knox County Beekeeper Association (you can also follow them on facebook) and you can read about my broad description of the class on the Community Roots page.


Here I would like to post some interesting initial research findings about AFB.


So far I've found some research on identification:

• using catalse, which might be easy for vegetative cells!! What a quick detection that would be for used woodenware for beekeeping!

• that it's been reclassified AGAIN as Clostridium piliforme according to a vet clinic textbook (2013) although outside of this book the bacteria seems most often referred to P. larvae

• And so far one biochemical fingerprinting test using Biolog and BUG plates with maltose and a special streaking method using a sterile wood stick to make a thin cross inthe middle of the plate.

• By far the most-used diagnostic is a rapid i.d. using PCR - apparently this bacteria will not grow on lab media, but the above BUG plate method suggests it grows and that this method discourages sporulation.

• possible treatment via shutdown of endospore "germination," where the bacterium breaks out
  of dormancy.
  
  To be continued...!