Metagenomic Analysis of a Throat Swab Sample Collected in China on A Patient Infected With Varicella Zoster Virus

Abstract

Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) is endemic worldwide, causing varicella in children and zoster upon reactivation in adults. This study concerned a metagenomic analysis of a throat swab sample collected in China, on a young patient suffering from Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and diagnosed with varicella. The complete genome sequence of a VZV strain of clade 2 has been generated. Clade 2 strains are the most prevalent in Asian countries. A comparison of 223 VZV genomes identified 77 clade specific markers, 20 of them specific to clade 2. The metagenomic analysis also identified sequences covering most of the genome of the bacteria Schaalia odontolytica also known as Actinomyces odontolyticus. VZV infection and bacterial infection in the context of SLE is further discussed. Even though the patient presented only mild symptoms, this study is a reminder that vaccination against VZV is critical to avoid severe complications like bacterial superinfection or even death in the case of immunodeficiency.

Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Activity of the Probiotic Strain Streptococcus salivarius K12 against Oral Potential Pathogens

“…Sch. odontolytica was not generally detected in healthy patients, but it was isolated from persons with advanced dental caries and root canal infections [43]. E. cloacae is not usually found in a healthy oral microbiota but has been most often isolated in adults with advanced periodontitis [44].…”