Optimisation and Standardisation of Whole Genome Sequencing Methods to Manage Severe Adenovirus Infections in the Immunocompromised Paediatric Patient

Very little is known about the origins, evolution and resistance dynamics of human mastadenovirus (HAdV) infection. Despite an association with significant morbidity and mortality amongst the immunocompromised population, current treatment strategies have a weak evidence base. Existing diagnostic tools are inadequate at influencing management decisions or infection control strategies. We hypothesise that modelling of genome-wide variant data from longitudinally sampled cases of HAdV infection occurring in severely immunocompromised patients, can be used to better the predicted clinical outcome of infection and improve the timing and nature of treatment. Our proposal is to further optimise a novel HAdV deep sequencing method which will be used to influence infection control strategies, identify resistance mutations and evaluate likely response to therapy and clinical outcome. Standardised evidence-based protocols will then be developed to determine optimal sequencing services for individualised patient management with a view to roll out these services across the UK.

Outputs

Click this link to access the paper from this project. (Published July 2021)