Use of the metagenomic sequencing method in the examination of clinical biosubstrates

Abstract

The development of new sequencing technologies has facilitated the characterization of the taxonomic and functional diversity of microorganisms. The use of next-generation metagenomic sequencing provides opportunities for unbiased detection of all pathogens present in the analyzed sample. This molecular technology is a new tool used for the identification of microbial DNA and/or RNA in blood and other clinical biosubstrates. The present study is a literature review. Using databases such as PubMed, Mendeley, Google Scholar, and national library collections, the most recent publications that best aligned with the study’s objectives were reviewed. Metagenomics, also known as environmental genomics, is the study of the genomic content of a sample of organisms obtained from a common habitat. Infectious diseases are frequently observed in clinical practice, and the detection of causative agents is the key link in their diagnosis and treatment. Conventional diagnostic methods cannot meet clinical needs due to time timeconsuming operations and low positive rates. Next-generation metagenomic sequencing can detect bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, rare pathogens, and even unknown pathogens. The use of metagenomic sequencing for the examination of biosubstrates is an interesting field with much still to be explored. The implementation of this technology will lead to the reduction of costs. The integration of data using multiple technological platforms will lead to a better understanding of how to leverage metagenomes.