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Updated: Jun 4, 2026
Sequencing of mRNA from Whole Blood using Nanopore Sequencing
Published on: June 3, 2019
Analysis of Coinfection Pathogens From Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus Persistently Infected Cattle Using Oxford
Shuang Wang1,2, Sumin Wei1,2, Yaozhong Ding1,2
1State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention College of Veterinary Medicine Lanzhou University Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China.
Abstract:
The persistent infection caused by foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) still lacks a reliable explanation, as its etiology and maintenance are intricate and potentially involve concurrent infections with multiple pathogens. In this study, we utilized the nanopore platform for direct sequencing of clinical samples obtained from cattle persistently infected with FMDV serotype O and investigated the distribution characteristics of coinfecting pathogens in their pharyngeal region. Briefly, we exploited Oxford Nanopore sequencing technology to generate high-quality and sufficient sequence data for the comprehensive characterization of microbial genomes. Furthermore, we performed sequence comparison, alignment, and phylogenetic tree construction. Our findings revealed a total of 23 viruses in FMDV carrier bovine, with FMDV, bovine orthopneumovirus, and Choristoneura fumiferana granulovirus emerging as the top three identified pathogens. The analysis unexpectedly revealed the presence of porcine circovirus type 2 and pepper mild mottle virus among the viral genes detected in the bovine FMDV carrier. Compared to noncarrier, carrier bovine of FMDV exhibited a greater diversity and abundance of mycoplasma types as well as reads counts. Therefore, we propose that the establishment and perpetuation of persistent FMDV infection may be attributed to the simultaneous presence of other viral agents and mycoplasmas. These findings highlight the significance of investigating multipathogen coinfection in elucidating the etiology of persistent FMD virus infection.
Insights
Persistent foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) infections in cattle may be caused by coinfections with other viruses and mycoplasmas. This study used nanopore sequencing to identify multiple pathogens in FMDV carriers.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Microbial Genomics
- Pathogen Discovery
Background:
- Persistent foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) infection in cattle remains poorly understood.
- The role of coinfecting pathogens in FMDV persistence is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the coinfecting pathogens in persistently infected FMDV cattle using nanopore sequencing.
- To characterize the distribution of pathogens in the pharyngeal region of FMDV carriers.
Main Methods:
- Direct sequencing of clinical samples from FMDV carrier cattle using Oxford Nanopore technology.
- Bioinformatic analysis including sequence comparison, alignment, and phylogenetic tree construction.
- Comparative analysis of pathogen diversity and abundance between carrier and non-carrier cattle.
Main Results:
- Identified 23 viruses in FMDV carrier cattle, with FMDV, bovine orthopneumovirus, and Choristoneura fumiferana granulovirus being most prevalent.
- Detected unexpected viral agents, including porcine circovirus type 2 and pepper mild mottle virus.
- FMDV carriers showed increased diversity and abundance of Mycoplasma species compared to non-carriers.
Conclusions:
- Coinfection with multiple viral agents and Mycoplasma species may contribute to the establishment and perpetuation of persistent FMDV infection.
- Highlights the importance of multipathogen coinfection studies for understanding FMDV etiology.
- Suggests a complex interplay of pathogens in persistent FMDV infections.
