Detecting Forest Musk Deer Abscess Disease Pathogens Using 16S rRNA High-Throughput Sequencing Technology

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Microbiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Molecular Diagnostics

Background:

• Traditional methods like bacterial culture and PCR for abscess pathogen identification face limitations.
• These methods are constrained by culture media, conditions, and targeted approaches, hindering comprehensive bacterial screening.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA for identifying pathogens in purulent fluid samples.
• To compare the efficacy of high-throughput sequencing against traditional methods for abscess disease diagnosis.

Main Methods:

• Utilized high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene from purulent fluid samples.
• Analyzed genetic material to identify bacterial species and their relative abundance.

Main Results:

• Confirmed Trueperella pyogenes as a key pathogen, consistent with previous research.
• Identified obligate anaerobes Fusobacterium necrophorum and Bacteroides fragilis as dominant pathogens for the first time.
• Demonstrated high-throughput sequencing's ability to detect a broader range of pathogens and their abundance.

Conclusions:

• High-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA offers a superior alternative to traditional bacterial culture and PCR for abscess pathogen identification.
• This technology provides a more comprehensive and accurate understanding of the microbial etiology of abscess diseases.