Direct multiplexed whole genome sequencing of respiratory tract samples reveals full viral genomic information

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcv.2015.02.010Get rights and content
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Highlights

  • WGS was used on clinical samples as proof of principle for use in viral diagnosis.

  • Viral infections detected by routine diagnostic methods were confirmed by WGS.

  • Viral pathogens can be detected and characterized in a single NGS run.

  • NGS can provide information for clinical assessment and epidemiological studies.

Abstract

Background

Acute respiratory tract infections (RTI) cause substantial morbidity during childhood, and are responsible for the majority of pediatric infectious diseases. Although most acute RTI are thought to be of viral origin, viral etiology is still unknown in a significant number of cases.

Objectives

Multiplexed whole genome sequencing (WGS) was used for virome determination directly on clinical samples as proof of principle for the use of deep sequencing techniques in clinical diagnosis of viral infections.

Study design

WGS was performed with nucleic acids from sputum and nasopharyngeal aspirates from four pediatric patients with known respiratory tract infections (two patients with human rhinovirus, one patient with human metapneumovirus and one patient with respiratory syncytial virus), and from four pediatric patients with PCR-negative RTI, and two control samples.

Results

Viral infections detected by routine molecular diagnostic methods were confirmed by WGS; in addition, typing information of the different viruses was generated. In three out of four samples from pediatric patients with PCR-negative respiratory tract infections and the two control samples, no causative viral pathogens could be detected. In one sample from a patient with PCR-negative RTI, rhinovirus type-C was detected. Almost complete viral genomes could be assembled and in all cases virus species could be determined.

Conclusions

Our study shows that, in a single run, viral pathogens can be detected and characterized, providing information for clinical assessment and epidemiological studies. We conclude that WGS is a powerful tool in clinical virology that delivers comprehensive information on the viral content of clinical samples.

Keywords

Virus
Respiratory tract
Infection
Whole genome sequencing

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1

Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboudumc, PO Box 9101,Internal Post: 7770,6500HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands.