Identification of Kashmir bee virus in France using a new RT-PCR method which distinguishes closely related viruses

A new RT-PCR protocol has been developed, avoiding potential misdiagnosis of Kashmir bee virus (KBV) linked to the use of KBV primers designed originally. The PCR assay validation was realised taking into account the analytical specificity and the PCR detection limit. KBV was detected in a bee sample collected in France from an apparently healthy apiary in 2012. The specificity of the primers was confirmed by sequencing the PCR product. This French sequence clustered into the KBV genotype by phylogenetic analysis, while previous French sequence isolates collected in 2002 belong to the IAPV genotype. These data represent the first detection of KBV in France.