Molecular diagnostics in sericulture: A paradigm shift towards disease diagnosis in silkworms

Abstract

Sericulture, the practice of rearing silkworms for the production of silk, is an essential agro‐based industry in several countries. However, silkworms are susceptible to a variety of diseases caused by viruses, bacteria and parasites, which may have a significant negative impact on global silk production. Traditional methods of pathogen identification, such as microscopy and laboratory culturing, have limitations in terms of accuracy and efficiency. The development of molecular techniques for pathogen identification has revolutionised the field of sericulture over the last decade. Genomic DNA and RNA‐based molecular techniques allow for the rapid and accurate detection of disease‐causing pathogens in silkworms. Molecular diagnosis has several advantages over traditional methods, including increased sensitivity and specificity, shorter turnaround time and the ability to detect pathogens that are difficult to culture or visualise under a microscope. Molecular techniques have been applied to detect several important pathogens of silkworms, including Nosema sp., nucleopolyhedrovirus, cypovirus, iflavirus and bidensovirus. The use of molecular diagnostics in sericulture is immensely important as the demand for high‐quality silk increases globally and the assessment of emerging pathogens associated with crop loss is essential. Major advancements in the improvement and application of molecular methods for diagnosing widespread silkworm pathogens are discussed.

Development of Aptamer-Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles as Probes in Point-of-Care Diagnostic Device for Rapid Detection of Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria in Bombyx mori L.

“…The traditional method of pathogen detection opted for in silk farming mainly relies on manual identification, which has problems like low efficiency, poor reliability, and relying on long-term professional experience that cannot accomplish the demand of the evolution and development of sericulture industries in major silk producing countries. 9 Although several molecular methods, including various PCR techniques, have been used to specifically detect silkworm pathogens, such techniques were cumbersome, requiring more time, higher cost, and trained expertise skills. 10 Therefore, an accurate, rapid, and simple method such as lateral flow assay (LFA) can offer on-site detection of such pathogens.…”