MPN estimation of qPCR target sequence recoveries from whole cell calibrator samples

► QPCR analysis of calibrator cells is used to estimate cell equivalents in samples. ► Does qPCR target sequence recovery from different sources of calibrator cells vary? ► An MPN method estimated recovery from two Enterococcus calibrator cell sources. ► A Bayesian statistical modeling method accounted for uncertainty in the estimates. ► The value of estimating sequence recovery from different cell sources is illustrated.