Nasopharyngeal Microbiota in SARS-CoV-2 Positive and Negative Patients
Phillip A. Engen, Ankur Naqib, Cheryl Jennings, Stefan J. Green, Alan Landay, Ali Keshavarzian, Robin M. Voigt
Abstract
We investigated nasopharyngeal microbial community structure in COVID-19-positive and -negative patients. High-throughput 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplicon sequencing revealed significant microbial community structure differences between COVID-19-positive and -negative patients. This proof-of-concept study demonstrates that: (1) nasopharyngeal microbiome communities can be assessed using collection samples already collected for SARS-CoV-2 testing (viral transport media) and (2) SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with altered dysbiotic microbial profiles which could be a biomarker for disease progression and prognosis in SARS-CoV-2.
Topics & Concepts
MicrobiomeAmplicon sequencingSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)MetagenomicsBiologyBiomarkerRibosomal RNA16S ribosomal RNAAmplicon2019-20 coronavirus outbreakGeneVirologyImmunologyMedicineDiseaseBioinformaticsInternal medicinePolymerase chain reactionGeneticsInfectious disease (medical specialty)OutbreakGut microbiota and healthRespiratory viral infections researchPneumonia and Respiratory Infections