Simple, filter-based PCR detection of Thelohania solenopsae (Microspora) in fire ants (Solenopsis invicta). Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • Thelohania solenopsae is a microsporidian parasite that may serve as a biological control agent for the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta. A rapid, filter-based PCR amplification method detecting a portion of the small-subunit ribosomal RNA gene was developed to facilitate field studies detecting the parasite in fire ants. Processing ant homogenates with a commercially available membrane-based system, FTA Classic Card technology, compared favorably with traditional DNA extraction and PCR amplification methods. As few as 100 spores were detected. The FTA membrane system is a simple, extraction-free method for detecting T. solenopsae in fire ants, and allows for easy archival storage of DNA samples.

published proceedings

  • J Eukaryot Microbiol

author list (cited authors)

  • Snowden, K. F., Logan, K. S., & Vinson, S. B.

citation count

  • 15

complete list of authors

  • Snowden, Karen F||Logan, Kathleen S||Vinson, S Bradleigh

publication date

  • November 2002

publisher