Quantitation of Bacillus clausii in biological samples by real-time polymerase chain reaction

A real-time PCR assay targeting the highly specific erm34 sequence of Bacillus clausii DNA was developed and optimized. The quantitative assay showed a sensitivity level of 102 CFU/μl of sample. The method may represent a useful tool for monitoring the role of B. clausii as probiotic in vivo.