Swab-based transport media for molecular Melissococcus plutonius detection in honey bee brood under tropical conditions

This study evaluated the feasibility of swab-based sampling with Molecular (MTM) and Viral (VTM) Transport Media for molecular detection of Melissococcus plutonius (European foulbrood) in honey bee brood. Both media enabled reliable detection for up to 14 days at tropical ambient temperatures (21–32 °C). This refrigeration-free method is a cost-effective and practical alternative to frozen transport, significantly improving surveillance logistics in extensive territories like Brazil.