Novel Duplex Real-Time PCR Assay Detects <i>Bordetella holmesii</i> in Specimens from Patients with Pertussis-Like Symptoms in Ontario, Canada

Abstract

Bordetella holmesii is a human pathogen found mainly in immunocompromised patients. A specific real-time PCR assay was developed and successfully used to identify specimens from which B. holmesii was misidentified as Bordetella pertussis and to establish the prevalence of B. holmesii in Ontario patients with pertussis-like symptoms.