Improved Detection of Bartonella DNA in Mammalian Hosts and Arthropod Vectors by Real-Time PCR Using the NADH Dehydrogenase Gamma Subunit ( nuoG )

Abstract
We used a whole-genome scanning technique to identify the NADH dehydrogenase gamma subunit (nuoG) primer set that is sensitive and specific enough to detect a diverse number of Bartonella species in a wide range of environmental samples yet maintains minimal cross-reactivity to mammalian host and arthropod vector organisms.