USE OF POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION TO DETECT BACTERIA IN ARTHROPODS - AREVIEW

Detection of bacteria in arthropod vectors traditionally has been purs ued using serological and cell culture methodologies. The advent of th e polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has made possible accurate, timely, and reproducible identification of bacteria in these vectors, particul arly those microbes that are difficult to culture in vitro. We have re viewed the literature for PCR primers used to amplify gene segments of pathogenic bacteria from insect, tick, and mite vectors and provide t he sequences of these primers, as well as notes on preparation of arth ropod samples and direct sequencing of PCR products.