Detection and localisation of picorna-like virus particles in tissues of Varroa destructor, an ectoparasite of the honey bee, Apis mellifera.
Virus-like particles, 27 nm in diameter, were observed in extracts of individual Varroa destructor mites and in sections of mite tissue. Application of a purification procedure resulted in virus preparations that were used to prepare an antiserum to detect the virus in individual mites. Immunohistology studies showed that the gastric caecae were heavily infected, whereas no immunostaining could be detected in other mite tissues or organs, like the salivary glands, brain, rectum or reproductive organs. By electron microscopy large aggregates of virus-like particles in para-crystalline lattices were found in cells of the gastric caecae. The particles, reminiscent to picorna-like viruses, occurred mainly in the cytoplasm, whereas some virus particles were sparsely scattered in vacuoles. Occasionally, particles were observed in membrane-bound vesicles or in long tubular membrane structures in the cytoplasm. The accumulation of the picorna-like virus particles in the cytoplasm and the presence of the virus in membrane structures give a strong indication that the virus replicates in the mite.
Zhang
Qiansong
Q
Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University, Binnenhaven 11, 6709 PD Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Ongus
Juliette R
JR
Boot
Willem Jan
WJ
Calis
Johan
J
Bonmatin
Jean-Marc
JM
Bengsch
Eberhard
E
Peters
Dick
D
D000053:Acari / Q000821:virology*; D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D001516:Bees / Q000469:parasitology*; D002432:Cecum / Q000648:ultrastructure / Q000821:virology; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000648:ultrastructure / Q000821:virology; D004478:Ectoparasitic Infestations / Q000473:pathology; D010849:Picornaviridae / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010850:Picornaviridae Infections / Q000473:pathology; D014771:Virion / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity* / Q000648:ultrastructure
D000914:Antibodies, Viral