Background:  Aparaviruses are positive single-stranded RNA viruses within the family Dicistroviridae. Three species within the genus Aparavirus are closely related and summarized in the so-called AKI-complex: Acute bee paralysis virus (ABPV), Kashmir bee virus (KBV) and Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV). That complex plays a role in the sudden collapses of honeybee hives and colonies and is responsible for immense economical losses worldwide. Together with other environmental factors they are involved in the colony collapse disorder (CCD). Honeybees, bumblebees and other invertebrates could be infected also persistently. The ways of transmission are horizontal and vertical, through contamination of faeces and saliva, in royal jelly e.g.. Viruses are also found in mites, that act as an ectoparasitic vector. Stress and reduced immunity due to infestation with Varroa could activate the replication of the virus. That leads to mortality of the offspring, weaken the performance and shorten the lifespan of adults immensely.

​To distinguish between the Aparavirus species within the AKI-complex, ingenetix also offers individual real-time PCR Kits for detection of Acute bee paralysis virus, Kashmir bee virus and Israeli acute paralysis virus.

Description:  ViroReal® Kit Aparavirus is a real-time PCR for the qualitative detection of the RNA of the capsid protein gene of Aparaviruses. Our carefully designed primers and probe ensure highest sensitivity and specificity. The kit consists of an assay mix for the detection of the pathogen as well as a positive control and an internal positive control (IPC) system. To minimize PCR cross-contamination, the included reaction mix contains dUTP and uracil-N glycosylase (UNG).

ViroReal® Kit Aparavirus
Order Number Reactions Channel Pathogen Channel IPC Target
DVEV03913 100 FAM Cy5 capsid protein gene
DVEV03953 50 FAM Cy5 capsid protein gene
For veterinary use only
Shipping Temperature: -20 °C dry ice
Product Features:
  • Amplification and detection: RNA of capsid protein gene of Aparaviruses
  • Transcription with thermostable MMLV Reverse Transcriptase
  • Contains RNase Inhibitor to block RNA degradation
  • Real-time PCR with rapid hot-start Taq DNA polymerase
  • ROX dye as passive reference
  • Internal Positive Control System to exclude false-negative results
  • Optimized to handle PCR inhibitors
  • PCR platforms: runs on all established standard real-time PCR platforms
  • Harmonized thermal profiles to run RNA and DNA samples simultaneously
  • Available formats: Kit (with reaction mix)

PCR platforms: ViroReal® Kit Aparavirus was validated with the QuantStudio 5 Real-Time PCR System (Thermo Fisher Scientific) and tested with the QuantStudio 7 Real-Time PCR System (Thermo Fisher Scientific). It is also compatible with other real-time PCR instruments which detect and differentiate fluorescence in FAM and Cy5 channel (e.g. ABI® 7500 Fast Real-Time PCR System (Thermo Fisher Scientific), Mx3005P® (Agilent), qTOWER3G (Analytik Jena), MIC instrument (bio molecular systems), LightCycler® 480 II (Roche) und cobas z 480 Analyzer (Roche), QuantStudio 6 (Thermo Fisher Scientific)).

Frequently Asked Questions:

The kit enables qualitative detection of RNA from Aparavirus by amplifying the capsid protein gene using one-step real-time RT-PCR.
Aparaviruses are RNA viruses within the Dicistroviridae family, including ABPV, KBV, and IAPV — viruses linked to colony collapse disorder and major losses in honeybee populations.
An artificial RNA internal positive control (IPC) is used to verify successful RNA extraction and detect potential RT-PCR inhibition. Detection is via the Cy5 fluorescence channel.
The kit is validated for RNA extracted from bee colony samples, including homogenized bee tissues.
The limit of detection (LoD95%) is approximately 50 target RNA copies per reaction.
BactoReal®, MycoReal®, ParoReal® and ViroReal® Kits run with the same thermal cycling conditions.