Table 3.

Ct values when using the aprV2/aprB2 rtPCR and various aprV2 positive D. nodosus cell concentrations diluted into alkaline PEG buffer (pH 13), and subsequent buffer dilutions into H₂O.

Cell number	Buffer dilution factor
	Neat	1:10	1:100	1:1,000	1:10,000
1,025,000		25.9	24.9	27.6	30.4
1,02,500			29	32	25
10,250			32		38.4
1,025		31	35
100	37	35	37

Crude extract of the dilutions were directly used as rtPCR template. The Ct value of each dilution is given in the corresponding column/row.