American foulbrood (AFB) is one of the most devastating infectious diseases of honey bees with a worldwide distribution. Based on clinical symptoms of AFB, the disease has been thought to have long existed in the Republic of Kosovo honey bee colonies. This passive surveillance study was intended to confirm the presence and determine the distribution of AFB in the Republic of Kosovo, based on the examination of clinical symptoms, rapid immunochromatographic tests, and microbiological and molecular identification of the etiological agent Paenibacillus larvae. From 2007 until 2019, official veterinary inspectors collected 2027 brood combs from a total of 373 apiaries clinically suspected as an AFB outbreak. Samples were collected in 26 out of 38 municipalities of the country predominantly during spring and autumn. P. larvae were isolated from 219 out of 373 apiaries, i.e., 58.71%. All samples with AFB clinical symptoms of the disease were positive in the immunochromatographic test. The presence of the AFB was demonstrated in 24 municipalities. Seventeen positive apiaries from different regions were randomly selected in the years 2016 to 2018 in order to characterize the isolates circulating most recently by ERIC genotyping. The presence of both ERIC I and II genotypes, as well as of a biotype with a profile slightly different from ERIC I and II, was observed. The results indicate a need for a change in approach in future control strategies and training programs for early diagnosis and improved management of apicultural practices.

American foulbrood (AFB) 是最具破坏性的蜜蜂传染病之一，在世界范围内都有分布。根据 AFB 的临床症状，该病被认为长期存在于科索沃共和国的蜜蜂群中。这项被动监测研究旨在根据临床症状检查、快速免疫层析测试以及病原类芽孢杆菌幼虫的微生物学和分子鉴定，确认 AFB 在科索沃共和国的存在和分布。从 2007 年到 2019 年，官方兽医检查员从总共 373 个临床怀疑爆发 AFB 的养蜂场收集了 2027 个育雏梳。在该国 38 个城市中的 26 个城市采集了样本，主要是在春季和秋季. 从 373 个养蜂场中的 219 个分离出P. 幼虫，即 58.71%。所有具有AFB疾病临床症状的样本在免疫层析试验中均呈阳性。AFB 的存在在 24 个城市得到证明。在 2016 年至 2018 年期间随机选择了来自不同地区的 17 个阳性养蜂场，以通过 ERIC 基因分型来表征最近流行的分离株。观察到 ERIC I 和 II 基因型以及与 ERIC I 和 II 略有不同的生物型的存在。结果表明需要改变未来控制策略和培训计划的方法，以进行早期诊断和改进养蜂管理。