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Updated: Jul 4, 2026

DNA Viral Size Fraction Metagenomics for Human Stool Samples
Published on: March 24, 2026
Viral diversity and dynamics in an infant gut
Mya Breitbart1, Matthew Haynes, Scott Kelley
1College of Marine Sciences, University of South Florida, 140 Seventh Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, FL 33701, USA. mya@marine.usf.edu
Abstract:
Metagenomic sequencing of DNA viruses from the feces of a healthy week-old infant revealed a viral community with extremely low diversity. The identifiable sequences were dominated by phages, which likely influence the diversity and abundance of co-occurring microbes. The most abundant fecal viral sequences did not originate from breast milk or formula, suggesting a non-dietary initial source of viruses. Certain sequences were stable in the infant's gut over the first 3 months of life, but microarray experiments demonstrated that the overall viral community composition changed dramatically between 1 and 2 weeks of age.
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