Table 1 Samples for technical validation of RLEP qPCR and 16S rRNA RT qPCR

“Must detect RLEP/16S rRNA (DNA)” samples

Nasal swab sample (4)^a

2 sequencing confirmed MB leprosy patients

Togo

PCR standard (1 per RLEP and 16S rRNA qPCR)

Cloned RLEP/16S rRNA plasmids with known copy numbers

GenExpress, Berlin, Germany

“Must not detect RLEP/16S rRNA (DNA)” samples

Nasal swab sample (14)^a

7 endemic controls (healthy individuals)

Togo

Nasal swab sample (10)^a

5 occupational contacts to untreated (MB) leprosy patients

Munich, DITM^b medical staff

Nasal swab sample (6)^a

3 non-exposed healthy controls

Munich, DITM^b laboratory staff

Swab sample (5)^a

5 PCR confirmed Buruli ulcer patients

Ghana [24]

Fine needle aspirate (12)^a

11 PCR confirmed Buruli ulcer patients

Ghana [24]

Swab sample (1)^a

3 Patients with PCR confirmed cutaneaous leishmaniasis

Munich, accredited diagnostic laboratories of DITM^b

Punch biopsy sample (2)^a

Mycobacterial culture (13)^a

M. abscessus, M. africanum, M. avium, M. bovis, M. fortuitum, M. gordonae, M. intracellulare, M. kansasii, M. malmoense, M. marinum, M. microti, M. tuberculosis, M. xenopi

National Reference Center for Mycobacteria, Borstel, Germany

Bacterial culture (5)^a

Microbial flora colonizing human skin or nasal mucosa: Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus pyogenes and Escherichia coli

Max von Pettenkofer-Institute, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany