American Foulbrood Disease (AFB) is an infection of honeybees caused by the bacterium . One potential remedy involves using biocontrol, such as bacteriophages (phages) to lyse . Therefore, bacteriophages specific for were isolated to determine their efficacy in lysing cells. Samples from soil, beehive materials, cosmetics, and lysogenized strains were screened; of 157 total samples, 28 were positive for at least one bacteriophage, with a total of 30. Newly isolated bacteriophages were tested for the ability to lyse each of 11 strains. Electron microscopy demonstrated that the phage isolates were from the family . Seven phages with the broadest host ranges were combined into a cocktail for use in experimental treatments of infected bee larvae; both prophylactic and post-infection treatments were conducted. Results indicated that although both pre- and post-treatments were effective, prophylactic administration of the phages increased the survival of larvae more than post-treatment experiments. These preliminary experiments demonstrate the likelihood that phage therapy could be an effective method to control AFB.
