SARS-CoV-2 and co-infections detection in nasopharyngeal throat swabs of COVID-19 patients by metagenomics
Le Van Tan, Nguyen Thi Thu Hong, Nghiêm My Ngoc, Tran Tan Thanh, Vo Thanh Lam, Lam Anh Nguyet, Le Nguyen Truc Nhu, Nguyenn Thi Ha Ny, Ngo Ngọc Quang Minh, Dinh Nguyen Huy Man, Vu Thi Ty Hang, Phan Nguyen Quoc Khanh, Tran Chanh Xuan, Nguyễn Thanh Phong, Tran Nguyen Hoang Tu, Tran Tinh Hien, Le Manh Hung, Nguyen Thanh Truong, Lamh Min Yen, Nguyen Thanh Dung, Guy Thwaites, Nguyen Van Vinh Chau
Abstract
We read with interest a recent article in this journal regarding co-infections in people with COVID-19.1 Rapid and simultaneous detection of SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID-19, and co-infections is essential for clinical management of COVID-19 patients. However, the diversity of possible co-infecting pathogens (bacteria and viruses) challenges conventional diagnostics approaches (bacterial culture and PCR). Metagenomics is a sensitive pan-pathogen assay for infectious disease diagnosis and the discovery of novel pathogens.