Researchers Drs. Noelle Noyes, Montserrat Torremorell, and colleagues at the University of Minnesota developed a workflow called TELSVirus, or Target-Enriched Long-Read Sequencing of Virus, that enables the real-time detection and genomic characterization of multiple viral pathogens from a single sample in a relatively short turnaround time (approximately 24 hours). As part of a SHIC-funded study, the researchers’ main objective was to apply the TELSVirus workflow to porcine oral fluid samples to detect and characterize genomes of target viral pathogens.
Overall, the diagnostic test developed through TELSVirus enabled researchers to detect a high prevalence of co-circulating yet understudied viruses, including porcine bocavirus, porcine sapelovirus 1, and porcine astrovirus 2 and 4, while also allowing for detection of viruses with known production impacts, such as PRRSV, influenza, and rotavirus. These viruses were often detected in the same oral fluid sample, and the high sequencing coverage afforded by TELSVirus allowed for robust viral variant analysis. Researchers also demonstrated that TELSVirus’ limit of detection for PRRSV and influenza is comparable to that of qPCR, while providing the benefits of increased genomic information. Based on these results, TELSVirus has the potential to support real-time surveillance of endemic and emergent viruses, while also improving understanding of co-circulating viruses, their genetic diversity, and ultimately how they impact swine health and production.
Click here to see more...