耐极端环境真菌对犬小孢子菌及孢子丝菌的拮抗研究

目的 检测极端环境分离出的真菌拮抗临床病原真菌的活性.方法 选用极端环境分离出的24株真菌菌株上清液及菌丝体的提取液,来进行临床病原真菌（孢子丝菌和犬小孢子菌）的拮抗试验,采用M38-A2产孢丝状真菌抗真菌药物敏感性试验方案和E-test纸片扩散法.结果 抑菌圈直径≥1.0 cm,具有较强拮抗孢子丝菌活性的极端环境真菌有8株;抑菌圈直径≥2.0 cm,具有极强拮抗犬小孢子菌的活性的极端环境真菌有1株.两种临床菌株的拮抗试验,90％的拮抗结果相一致.结论 70％极端环境真菌菌株上清液及菌丝体提取液具有拮抗临床病原真菌孢子丝菌和犬小孢子菌的活性.     

痰涂片标本用于结核分枝杆菌耐药性检测的研究

目的 研究抗酸染色结核分枝杆菌(简称结核杆菌)阳性痰涂片标本直接用于耐药性检测的方法。方法 对18株临床分离培养的结核杆菌用利福平进行药敏试验。分别提取菌株DNA和与之对应的痰涂片标本的菌体DNA,用聚合酶链反应(PcR)扩增ropB基因后进行固相杂交和核酸测序检测结核杆菌的耐药性。结果 18株结核杆菌中有12株对利福平耐药。经PCR扩增的ropB片段与探针杂交后,敏感菌株未发现rpoB基因的突变,自耐药菌株提取的DNA中rpoB突变体的检出率为100％(12／12),痰涂片提取DNA的检出率为91．7％(11／12)。所有耐药菌株DNA与痰涂片DNA核酸测序结果相吻合,都有rpoB基因核心区域碱基突变。结论 抗酸染色痰涂片阳性标本可直接用于检测结核杆菌利福平耐药基因rpoB突变体,是一种值得临床实验室推广使用的耐药菌诊断方法。     

一种适用于PCR反应的酵母菌、无绿藻及丝状真菌DNA提取方法

目的 介绍一种从酵母、无绿藻及丝状真菌中提取DNA以用于PCR反应的方法。方法 所用菌种包括临床分离的未知菌株和保藏菌株共23株：未知酵母菌（5株）、真皮毛孢子菌（1株）、糠秕马拉色菌（1株）、季也蒙念珠菌（5株）、未知丝状真菌（6株）、无绿藻（1株）、烟曲霉（2株）、拟青霉菌（1株）、茎点霉（1株）。用溶细胞酶（lyticase）结合Biospin真菌基因组DNA提取试剂盒提取基因组DNA,A260／A280检测纯度并计算质量浓度,用真菌通用引物ITS1／ITS4扩增真菌核糖体基因（rDNA）内转录间区ITS基因,经PCR扩增检验所提取的DNA质量。结果 成功提取所有23株真菌基因组DNA,其纯度及质量浓度能满足PCR反应的要求。结论 用溶细胞酶结合Biospin真菌基因组DNA提取试剂盒从酵母菌、无绿藻及丝状真菌提取的DNA可用于PCR反应。     

转化医学真菌学实例——直接提取DNA鉴定菌种及体外药敏试验指导诊治面部难辨认癣

目的报道1例由万博节皮菌(趾间毛癣菌有性期)所致面部难辨认癣,取皮损鳞屑直接提取真菌DNA做菌种鉴定,并与真菌培养鉴定结果比较,对培养的菌落直接用抗真菌乳膏做药敏实验指导治疗。方法病变部鳞屑经KOH涂片真菌镜检阳性后,取鳞屑直接提取DNA,以真菌通用引物ITS1/4做PCR扩增后测序;同时从培养生长的菌提取DNA做分子生物学鉴定;并将抗真菌乳膏加入含菌平板孔中观察抑菌圈大小。结果鳞屑直接提取的DNA与培养获得菌落提取的DNA经PCR-测序均鉴定为万博节皮菌,诊断万博节皮菌感染所致面部难辨认癣。镜检阳性后即给予特比萘芬口服(250mg/d)及1%萘替芬-0.25%酮康唑乳膏外用,每周复诊并取鳞屑镜检和培养,基于药物抑菌实验结果指导治疗5周,至临床治愈和真菌培养转阴。结论鳞屑直接提取DNA做PCR-测序能及早明确菌种,待培养菌落长出后做PCR-测序验证,直接用成品抗真菌乳膏做体外药敏实验指导临床选药,动态培养鳞屑以确定疗程。此个体化诊治方案为从临床到实验室、从实验室到临床转化医学真菌学的成功实例。     

真菌通用引物Its1和Its4在丝状真菌鉴定中的价值评价

目的 对真菌通用引物Its1和Its4在丝状真菌鉴定中的价值进行评价.方法 收集中山大学附属第一医院2012年1月至2012年8月间分离的丝状真菌11株,使用真菌通用引物Its1和Its4采用PCR法扩增核糖体基因,对PCR产物进行序列测定,将测序结果与GenBank中已知标准或临床菌株DNA序列比对,确定丝状真菌的菌种;同时与传统形态学鉴定方法进行比较,从而对真菌通用引物Its1和Its4在丝状真菌鉴定中的价值进行评价.结果 从DNA提取到序列测定结束,在2个工作日内即可完成.所有菌株均测序成功,测序结果与GenBank中的序列比对,烟曲霉、杂色曲霉、橘青霉、溜曲霉可以鉴定到种;黄曲霉和米曲霉、阿姆斯特丹散囊菌和冠突散囊菌由于高度同源性无法区分鉴定到种.结论 利用真菌通用引物Its1和Its4结合PCR技术和测序技术,可快速、准确将大部分丝状真菌鉴定到种.     

一株球孢白僵菌的分离鉴定及其对草地贪夜蛾的致病性

草地贪夜蛾Spodoptera frugiperda(J. E.Smith)是我国于2019年新发现的一种迁飞性重大害虫。为了寻找对草地贪夜蛾有高致病性的昆虫病原真菌,本实验对采自广东省广州市华南农业大学湿地的感菌稻黑蝽Scotinophara lurida若虫僵虫进行了室内分离培养,结合形态学和rDNA-ITS序列分析,采用浸虫法研究了该菌对草地贪夜蛾各龄幼虫的致病力。鉴定结果表明该病原真菌为球孢白僵菌Beauveria bassiana,编号为GZSL-1菌株。菌株GZSL-1可侵染草地贪夜蛾6个龄期的幼虫,随孢子浓度的升高,草地贪夜蛾幼虫感病死亡率增加,当浓度达到1×10~8孢子/mL时,1～3龄幼虫的累计校正死亡率皆为100%,4龄和5龄幼虫也达到57.47%和55.06%,6龄仅25.28%。接菌6 d后1～5龄幼虫的LC_(50)值分别为1.32×10~3、3.42×10~3、1.01×10~4、1.61×10~5和1.23×10~7孢子/mL。幼虫LT_(50)值随孢子悬浮液浓度增加而递减,在孢子浓度为1.0×10~4～1.0×10~8孢子/mL范围内,1龄、2龄和3龄幼虫的LT_(50)值分别为3.58～1.69 d、4.30～1.78 d和5.70～3.12 d;浓度为1.0×10~5～1.0×10~8孢子/mL时,对4龄幼虫的LT_(50)为5.45～4.85 d;浓度为1.0×10~7～1.0×10~8孢子/mL时,对5龄幼虫的LT_(50)为5.04～5.02 d。上述研究结果表明,鉴定的球孢白僵菌菌株GZSL-1对草地贪夜蛾幼虫具有较强致病性,可为草地贪夜蛾微生物防治提供候选菌种资源。     

一株侵染豌豆蚜的昆虫病原真菌的分离及鉴定

【目的】从采集到的自然染菌的豌豆蚜Acyrthosiphon pisum虫尸分离纯化得到一株病原真菌,定名为TF-2。本研究旨在确定该菌株的分类地位,为豌豆蚜生物防治提供真菌资源。【方法】对自然染菌的豌豆蚜虫尸上寄生真菌TF-2进行回接试验,分离纯化出致病菌株TF-2;在显微镜下配制TF-2菌株不同浓度孢子悬浮液,采用浸渍法和离体叶片饲养法测定其对豌豆蚜成虫的毒力;利用光学显微镜观察菌株形态学特征。PCR扩增TF-2的rDNA-ITS序列并测序,构建系统发育树对TF-2菌株进行分子鉴定。【结果】毒力测定结果表明,TF-2菌株对豌豆蚜成虫表现出很强的致病力,1×10^7孢子/mL处理6 d后豌豆蚜成虫校正死亡率达到100%。TF-2在PDA培养基上菌落呈圆形,白色或淡黄色毡状,菌落背面呈奶油色;菌株孢梗呈瓶状,在菌丝上单生或侧生2~3个,大小为(19-42)μm×(1.1-2.5)μm,基部较粗至尖端逐渐变细,分生孢子长椭圆形,大小为(4.2-11.8)μm×(1.6-2.6)μm。菌丝体产生晶体呈八面体。该菌株的rDNA-ITS序列与长孢蜡蚧菌Lecanicillium longisporum(GenBank登录号:KX426564)的rDNA-ITS核苷酸序列一致性达99%,位于系统发育树的同一分支。【结论】菌株TF-2被鉴定为豌豆蚜的病原真菌长孢蜡蚧菌L.longisporum,对豌豆蚜的生物防治具有潜在的应用价值。     

孢子丝菌病快速诊断方法的探究

目的研究申克孢子丝菌DNA提取方法;探索申克孢子丝茵的种特异性引物,运用聚合酶链反应方法鉴定申克孢子丝菌;从而为临床孢子丝茵病的分子诊断奠定基础。方法用Viscozyme L酶替代液氮研磨破壁提取孢子丝菌的基因组DNA;根据申克孢子丝茵钙调蛋白基因序列设计一对寡核苷酸引物,分别对52株申克孢子丝菌及3种6株普通真茵的基因组DNA进行PCR扩增。结果用Viscozyme L酶替代液氮研磨破壁成功提取出孢子丝菌的基因组DNA。特异性引物对52株申克孢子丝菌可扩增出一条约430 bp的片段,而对念珠菌、曲霉、黑霉基因组DNA扩增结果均为阴性。结论用Viscozyme L酶替代液氮研磨破壁提取孢子丝菌基因组DNA与传统的CTAB法相比不仅操作更简便,而且避免了液氮研磨过程中难于避免的污染。运用我们所设计的特异性引物,结合PCR方法对申克孢子丝菌进行分子鉴定,结果显示不仅该引物对申克孢子丝菌特异、敏感而且该方法简便、快捷;可用于申克孢子丝菌病的临床诊断。     

应用反向线点杂交技术鉴定临床常见曲霉属和毛霉目真菌

目的应用反向线点杂交技术(reverse line blot hybridization,RLB)快速鉴定临床常见的曲霉属和毛霉目真菌。方法收集我院真菌和真菌病研究中心保存的5种曲霉菌(烟曲霉、黄曲霉、黑曲霉、土曲霉、构巢曲霉)和7种毛霉目真菌(冻土毛霉菌、总状毛霉菌、卷枝毛霉菌、少根根霉、小孢根霉、微小根毛霉、伞状犁头霉),共计98株菌株。利用真菌通用引物ITS1和ITS4对菌株进行PCR扩增,用12个真菌种特异性探针与扩增后产物进行反向线点杂交。将RLB结果与真菌传统形态学鉴定结果、ITS区DNA测序结果进行比较。结果 RLB可以正确鉴定98株实验菌株,与形态学方法和ITS区测序方法鉴定结果100%一致,种特异性探针之间未见交叉杂交,显示出该方法的高度敏感性和特异性。8株阴性对照菌株(白念珠菌、茄病镰刀菌、尖端赛多孢、马尔尼菲青霉、疣状瓶霉、棒曲霉、日本曲霉以及雅致小克银汉霉),使用RLB方法无法鉴定。通过烟曲霉基因组DNA浓度10倍倍比稀释法验证RLB的敏感性为1.8×10-3 ng/μL。结论 RLB技术为实验室早期快速诊断、鉴定临床常见的曲霉属和毛霉目真菌提供参考。     

中国南北方地区临床孢子丝菌菌种鉴定

目的对分离自我国南、北方地区50株临床孢子丝菌进行菌种鉴定。方法分离菌株分别进行25℃恒温培养和玻片小培养,肉眼和镜下观察形态特征;同时提取菌丝相基因组DNA,用PCR分别扩增部分微管蛋白(β-tubulin)基因和核糖体内部转录间隔区(Ribosomal Internal Transcribed Spacer,ITS),扩增产物进行测序,并采用最大似然法(maximum likelihood,ML)和邻接法(neighbor-joining,NJ)构建联合β-tubulin基因和ITS区域的系统发育树。结果结合形态学及系统发育分析,50株菌均鉴定为球形孢子丝菌(Sporothrix globosa,S.globosa)。结论球形孢子丝菌是目前我国南、北方地区孢子丝菌病的主要致病菌种,为进一步明确我国孢子丝菌病致病菌种的分布提供了依据。     

FTA卡和普通定性滤纸提取DNA方法研究

用FTA采样卡和普通定性滤纸采集藏绵羊血样,采用NaOH法提取血液基因组DNA,利用设计的一对引物对DRB1基因第三外显子进行扩增,通过PCR产物琼脂糖凝胶检测,对普通定性滤纸与FTA采样卡的两种提取DNA的方法进行比较,结果认为采用普通定性滤纸-NaOH法提取血液基因组DNA,NaOH的最佳洗涤浓度是25 mmol/L,采用FTA-NaOH法提取血液基因组DNA,NaOH的最佳洗涤浓度是20 mmol/L,但普通定性滤纸法提取血液基因组DNA平均成本远低于FTA采样卡,普通定性滤纸法提取血液基因组DNA具有快速、便捷、经济及高效的特点.     

Long-term storage and safe retrieval of DNA from microorganisms for molecular analysis using FTA matrix cards

We assessed the potential use of Whatman FTA paper as a device for archiving and long-term storage of bacterial cell suspensions of over 400 bacterial strains representing 61 genera, the molecular applications of immobilised DNA on FTA paper, and tested its microbial inactivation properties. The FTA paper extracted bacterial DNA is of sufficiently high quality to successfully carryout the molecular detection of several key genes including 16S rRNA, esp (Enterococcus surface protein), Bft (Bacteroides fragilis enterotoxin) and por (porin protein) by PCR and for DNA fingerprinting by random amplified polymorphic DNA-PCR (RAPD-PCR). To test the long-term stability of the FTA immobilised DNA, 100 of the 400 archived bacterial samples were randomly selected following 3 years of storage at ambient temperature and PCR amplification was used to monitor its success. All of the 100 samples were successfully amplified using the 16S rDNA gene as a target and confirmed by DNA sequencing. Furthermore, the DNA was eluted into solution from the FTA cards using a new alkaline elution procedure for evaluation by real-time PCR-based assays. The viability of cells retained on the FTA cards varied among broad groups of bacteria. For the more fragile gram-negative species, no viable cells were retained even at high cell densities of between 10(7) and 10(8) colony forming units (cfu) ml(-1), and for the most robust species such as spore-formers and acid-fast bacteria, complete inactivation was achieved at cell densities ranging between 10(1) and 10(4) cfu ml(-1). The inactivation of bacterial cells on FTA cards suggest that this is a safe medium for the storage and transport of bacterial nucleic acids.     

Novel approach for deriving genome wide SNP analysis data from archived blood spots

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The ability to transport and store DNA at room temperature in low volumes has the advantage of optimising cost, time and storage space. Blood spots on adapted filter papers are popular for this, with FTA (Flinders Technology Associates) Whatman[trade mark sign] technology being one of the most recent. Plant material, plasmids, viral particles, bacteria and animal blood have been stored and transported successfully using this technology, however the method of porcine DNA extraction from FTA Whatman[trade mark sign] cards is a relatively new approach, allowing nucleic acids to be ready for downstream applications such as PCR, whole genome amplification, sequencing and subsequent application to single nucleotide polymorphism microarrays has hitherto been under-explored. FINDINGS: DNA was extracted from FTA Whatman[trade mark sign] cards (following adaptations of the manufacturer's instructions), whole genome amplified and subsequently analysed to validate the integrity of the DNA for downstream SNP analysis. DNA was successfully extracted from 288/288 samples and amplified by WGA. Allele dropout post WGA, was observed in less than 2% of samples and there was no clear evidence of amplification bias nor contamination. Acceptable call rates on porcine SNP chips were also achieved using DNA extracted and amplified in this way. CONCLUSIONS: DNA extracted from FTA Whatman cards is of a high enough quality and quantity following whole genomic amplification to perform meaningful SNP chip studies.     

Imported Malaria in United Arab Emirates: Evaluation of a New DNA Extraction Technique Using Nested PCR

Local malaria transmission in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) came to an end in 1997. Nevertheless, UAE has been subjected to substantial importation of malaria cases from abroad, concerning both UAE nationals and immigrants from malarious countries with a total number of 2,119 cases in 2007. To evaluate a new DNA extraction technique using nested PCR, blood samples were collected from 132 individuals who presented to Infectious Diseases Department in Rashid Hospital, Dubai, and Central Department of Malaria Control with fever and persistent headache. Giemsa-stained blood films and ELISA test for malaria antibodies were carried out for detection of Plasmodium infection. Plasmodium infections were identified with the genus-specific primer set and species differentiation using nested PCR. A rapid procedure for diagnosis of malaria infections directly from dried blood spots using for the first time DNA extract from FTA Elute cards was evaluated in contrast to extraction techniques using FTA classic cards and rapid boiling technique. Our new simple technique for DNA extraction using FTA Elute cards was very sensitive giving a sensitivity of 100% compared to 94% using FTA classic cards and 62% in the rapid boiling technique. No complex preparation of blood samples was required prior to the amplification. The production cost of DNA isolation in our PCR assay was much less in comparable to that of other DNA extraction protocols. The nested PCR detected plasmodial infection and could differentiate P. falciparum from P. vivax, and also detected the mixed infection.     

On the use of FTA technology for collection, archieving, and molecular analysis of microsporidia dna from clinical stool samples

The FTA technology was applied for sampling, archiving, and molecular analysis of the DNA isolated from stool samples to diagnose and identify microsporidia, the intracellular opportunistic parasites which induce malabsortion syndrome in immunosuppressed humans, particularly in patients with AIDS. Microsporidia DNA was successfully amplified in 6 of 50 stool samples of HIV-positive patients of the S. P. Botkin Memorial Infectious Disease Hospital (St. Petersburg) applied to FTA cards (FTA-Cars, Whatman Inc. Florham Park, NJ, USA). Amplicons (the fragments of rDNA) were directly sequenced, and microsporidia species--Encephalitozoon intestinalis, E. cuniculi, E. hellem, and Enterocytozoon bieneusi--were identified in Genbank by NCBI BLAST program. The FTA method of DNA immobilization is especially promising for epidemiological and field population studies which involve genotyping of microsporidia species and isolates.     

Optimized pH method for DNA elution from buccal cells collected in Whatman FTA cards

DNA is the most accessible biologic material for obtaining information from the human genome because of its molecular stability and its presence in every nucleated cell. Currently, single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping and DNA methylation are the main DNA-based approaches to deriving genomic and epigenomic disease biomarkers. Upon the discontinuation of the Schleicher & Schuell IsoCode product (Dassel, Germany), which was a treated paper system to elute DNA from several biologic sources for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis, a high-yielding DNA elution method was imperative. We describe here an improved procedure of the not fully validated Whatman pH-based elution protocol. Our DNA elution procedure from buccal cells collected in Whatman FTA cards (Whatman Inc., Florham Park, NJ) yielded approximately 4 microg of DNA from a 6-mm FTA card punch and was successfully applied for HLA-DQB1 genotyping. The genotypes showed complete concordance with data obtained from blood of the same subjects. The achieved high DNA yield from buccal cells suggests a potential cost-effective tool for genomic and epigenomic disease biomarkers development.     

Identification of Hybrids of Painted and Milky Storks Using FTA Card-Collected Blood, Molecular Markers, and Morphologies

Suspicious hybrids of painted storks and milky storks were found in a Malaysian zoo. Blood of these birds was sampled on FTA cards for DNA fingerprinting. Of 44 optimized primers, 6 produced diagnostic markers that could identify hybrids. The markers were based on simple, direct PCR-generated multilocus banding patterns that provided two sets of genetic data, one for each of the two stork species and another for the hybrids. It also revealed that large DNA fragments (3,000 bp) could be amplified from blood collected on FTA cards. When the results of each individual bird’s DNA fingerprint were compared with plumage characters, the hybrids were found to express a range of intermediate phenotypic traits of the pure breeds with no dominant plumage characteristic from either parental species.     

Evaluation of different sources of DNA for use in genome wide studies and forensic application

In the field of epidemiology, Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) are commonly used to identify genetic predispositions of many human diseases. Large repositories housing biological specimens for clinical and genetic investigations have been established to store material and data for these studies. The logistics of specimen collection and sample storage can be onerous, and new strategies have to be explored. This study examines three different DNA sources (namely, degraded genomic DNA, amplified degraded genomic DNA and amplified extracted DNA from FTA card) for GWAS using the Illumina platform. No significant difference in call rate was detected between amplified degraded genomic DNA extracted from whole blood and amplified DNA retrieved from FTA™ cards. However, using unamplified–degraded genomic DNA reduced the call rate to a mean of 42.6% compared to amplified DNA extracted from FTA card (mean of 96.6%). This study establishes the utility of FTA™ cards as a viable storage matrix for cells from which DNA can be extracted to perform GWAS analysis.     

Fecal collection, ambient preservation, and DNA extraction for PCR amplification of bacterial and human markers from human feces

Feces contain intestinal bacteria and exfoliated epithelial cells that may provide useful information concerning gastrointestinal tract health. Intestinal bacteria that synthesize or metabolize potential carcinogens and produce anti-tumorigenic products may have relevance to colorectal cancer, the second most common cause of cancer deaths in the USA. To facilitate epidemiological studies relating bacterial and epithelial cell DNA and RNA markers, preservative/extraction methods suitable for self-collection and shipping of fecal samples at room temperature were tested. Purification and PCR amplification of fecal DNA were compared after preservation of stool samples in RNAlater (R) or Paxgene (P), or after drying over silica gel (S) or on Whatman FTA cards (W). Comparisons were made to samples frozen in liquid nitrogen (N2). DNA purification methods included Whatman (accompanying FTA cards), Mo-Bio Fecal (MB), Qiagen Stool (QS), and others. Extraction methods were compared for amount of DNA extracted, DNA amplifiable in a real-time SYBR-Green quantitative PCR format, and the presence of PCR inhibitors. DNA can be extracted after room temperature storage for five days from W, R, S and P, and from N2 frozen samples. High amounts of total DNA and PCR-amplifiable Bacteroides spp. DNA (34%+/-9% of total DNA) with relatively little PCR inhibition were especially obtained with QS extraction applied to R preserved samples (method QS-R). DNA for human reduced folate carrier (SLC19A1) genomic sequence was also detected in 90% of the QS-R extracts. Thus, fecal DNA is well preserved by methods suitable for self-collection that may be useful in future molecular epidemiological studies of intestinal bacteria and human cancer markers.     

Comparative effectiveness of light-microscopic techniques and PCR in detecting Thelohania solenopsae (Microsporidia) infections in red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta)

The main goal of this study was to compare the effectiveness of three staining techniques (calcofluor white M2R, Giemsa and modified trichrome), and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in detecting the microsporidium Thelohania solenopsae in red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta). The effect of the number of ants in a sample on the sensitivity of the staining techniques and the PCR, and the effect of three DNA extraction protocols on the sensitivity of PCR were also examined. In the first protocol, the ants were macerated and the crude homogenate was used immediately in the PCR. In the second protocol, the homogenate was placed on a special membrane (FTA card) that traps DNA, which is subsequently used in the PCR. In the third protocol, the DNA was purified from the homogenate by traditional phenol-chloroform extraction. Except for PCR using FTA cards, the sensitivity (number of samples positive for T. solenopsae) of all detection techniques increased with the number of ants in the sample. Overall, Giemsa was the least sensitive of all detection techniques. Calcofluor was more sensitive than modified trichrome with ants from one site and was equally as sensitive as PCR with crude DNA or a FTA card with ants from both sites. Trichrome staining was equally as sensitive as PCR with a FTA card at both sites, but it was less sensitive than PCR with crude DNA at one site. PCR on FTA cards was less sensitive than PCR with crude DNA for ants from one site but not the other. There was no difference whether crude or phenol-chloroform purified DNA was used as template. In summary, the results of this study show that PCR based on a crude DNA solution is equal to or more sensitive in detecting T. solenopsae than the other detection techniques investigated, and that it can be used as a reliable diagnostic tool for screening field samples of S. invicta for T. solenopsae. Nevertheless, ant smear stained with calcofluor or modified trichrome should be used to buttress findings from PCR.