title: Multilocus genetic characterization of two ant vectors (Group II "Dirty 22" species) known to contaminate food and food products and spread foodborne pathogens.
abstract: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration utilizes the presence of filth and extraneous materials as one of the criteria for implementing regulatory actions and assessing adulteration of food products of public health importance. Twenty-two prevalent pest species (also known as the ''Dirty  22'' species) have been considered by this agency as possible vehicles for the spread of foodborne diseases, and the presence of these species is considered an indicator of unsanitary conditions in food processing and storage facilities. In a previous study, we further categorized the Dirty  22 species into four groups: group I includes four cockroach species, group II includes two ant species, group III includes 12 fly species, and group IV includes four rodent species. Here, we describe the development of three nested PCR primer sets and multilocus genetic characterization by  amplifying the small subunit rRNA, elongation factor 1-alpha, and wingless (WNT-1) genes of group II Dirty 22 ant species Monomorium pharaonis and Solenopsis molesta. These novel group II Dirty 22 species-specific nested PCR primer sets can be used when the specimens cannot be  identified using conventional microscopic methods. These newly developed assays will provide correct identification of group II Dirty 22 ant species, and the information can be used in the control of foodborne pathogens.
authors.affiliation: U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Southeast Regional Laboratory, 60 Eighth Street, Atlanta, GA 30309, USA. irshad.sulaiman@fda.hhs.gov
authors.forename: Irshad M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Sulaiman
authors.forename: Mickey
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: David H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Oi
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Simpson
authors.forename: Khalil
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kerdahi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001000:Ants / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics*; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis*; D005516:Food Microbiology; D005525:Food-Processing Industry / Q000592:standards*; D005784:Gene Amplification; D006801:Humans; D010802:Phylogeny; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D011634:Public Health; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal / Q000032:analysis*; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D012335:RNA, Ribosomal