Target Enrichment Metagenomics Reveals Human Pegivirus-1 in Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Recipients
Natali Ludowyke,
Worakorn Phumiphanjarphak,
Nopporn Apiwattanakul,
Suwimon Manopwisedjaroen,
Samart Pakakasama,
Insee Sensorn,
Ekawat Pasomsub,
Wasun Chantratita,
Suradej Hongeng,
Pakorn Aiewsakun,
Arunee Thitithanyanont
Affiliations
Natali Ludowyke
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Worakorn Phumiphanjarphak
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Nopporn Apiwattanakul
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Suwimon Manopwisedjaroen
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Samart Pakakasama
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Insee Sensorn
Center for Medical Genomics, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Ekawat Pasomsub
Virology and Molecular Microbiology Unit, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Wasun Chantratita
Center for Medical Genomics, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Suradej Hongeng
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Pakorn Aiewsakun
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Arunee Thitithanyanont
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Human pegivirus-1 (HPgV-1) is a lymphotropic human virus, typically considered nonpathogenic, but its infection can sometimes cause persistent viremia both in immunocompetent and immunosuppressed individuals. In a viral discovery research program in hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) pediatric patients, HPgV-1 was detected in 3 out of 14 patients (21.4%) using a target enrichment next-generation sequencing method, and the presence of the viruses was confirmed by agent-specific qRT-PCR assays. For the first time in this patient cohort, complete genomes of HPgV-1 were acquired and characterized. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that two patients had HPgV-1 genotype 2 and one had HPgV-1 genotype 3. Intra-host genomic variations were described and discussed. Our results highlight the necessity to screen HSCT patients and blood and stem cell donors to reduce the potential risk of HPgV-1 transmission.
