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Mari A, Abu Baker F, Pellicano R, Khoury T. Diagnosis and Management of Achalasia: Updates of the Last Two Years. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10163607. [PMID: 34441901 PMCID: PMC8397142 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10163607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Achalasia is a rare neurodegenerative disorder causing dysphagia and is characterized by abnormal esophageal motor function as well as the loss of lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxation. The assessment and management of achalasia has significantly progressed in recent years due to the advances in high-resolution manometry (HRM) technology along with the improvements and innovations of therapeutic endoscopy procedures. The recent evolution of HRM technology with the inclusion of an adjunctive test, fluoroscopy, and EndoFLIP has enabled more precise diagnoses of achalasia to be made and the subgrouping into therapeutically meaningful subtypes. Current management possibilities include endoscopic treatments such as Botulinum toxin injected to the LES and pneumatic balloon dilation. Surgical treatment includes laparoscopic Heller myotomy and esophagectomy. Furthermore, in recent years, per oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has established itself as a principal endoscopic therapeutic alternative to the traditional laparoscopic Heller myotomy. The latest randomized trials report that POEM, pneumatic balloon dilatation, and laparoscopic Heller's myotomy have comparable effectiveness and complications rates. The aim of the current review is to provide a practical clinical approach to dysphagia and to shed light on the most recent improvements in diagnostics and treatment of achalasia over the last two years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Mari
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nazareth Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed 16100, Israel
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +972-46028814
| | - Fadi Abu Baker
- Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hadera 38100, Israel;
| | | | - Tawfik Khoury
- Galilee Medical Center, Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine in the Galilee, Bar-Ilan University, Safed 13100, Israel;
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Holland AM, Bon-Frauches AC, Keszthelyi D, Melotte V, Boesmans W. The enteric nervous system in gastrointestinal disease etiology. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:4713-4733. [PMID: 33770200 PMCID: PMC8195951 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03812-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
A highly conserved but convoluted network of neurons and glial cells, the enteric nervous system (ENS), is positioned along the wall of the gut to coordinate digestive processes and gastrointestinal homeostasis. Because ENS components are in charge of the autonomous regulation of gut function, it is inevitable that their dysfunction is central to the pathophysiology and symptom generation of gastrointestinal disease. While for neurodevelopmental disorders such as Hirschsprung, ENS pathogenesis appears to be clear-cut, the role for impaired ENS activity in the etiology of other gastrointestinal disorders is less established and is often deemed secondary to other insults like intestinal inflammation. However, mounting experimental evidence in recent years indicates that gastrointestinal homeostasis hinges on multifaceted connections between the ENS, and other cellular networks such as the intestinal epithelium, the immune system, and the intestinal microbiome. Derangement of these interactions could underlie gastrointestinal disease onset and elicit variable degrees of abnormal gut function, pinpointing, perhaps unexpectedly, the ENS as a diligent participant in idiopathic but also in inflammatory and cancerous diseases of the gut. In this review, we discuss the latest evidence on the role of the ENS in the pathogenesis of enteric neuropathies, disorders of gut-brain interaction, inflammatory bowel diseases, and colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Marie Holland
- Department of Pathology, GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Biomedical Research Institute (BIOMED), Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Ana Carina Bon-Frauches
- Department of Pathology, GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Daniel Keszthelyi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, NUTRIM-School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Veerle Melotte
- Department of Pathology, GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Werend Boesmans
- Department of Pathology, GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
- Biomedical Research Institute (BIOMED), Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
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Wu XY, Liu ZQ, Wang Y, Chen WF, Gao PT, Li QL, Zhou PH. The etiology of achalasia: An immune-dominant disease. J Dig Dis 2021; 22:126-135. [PMID: 33583137 DOI: 10.1111/1751-2980.12973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
There is accumulating evidence suggesting that an autoimmune component is involved in esophageal achalasia. An increase in immune cells, cytokines, chemokines, and autoimmune antibodies in serum and infiltration of immune cells in tissues support the view that immune-mediated inflammation is a crucial pathogenesis of inhibitory neuron degeneration in the lower esophageal sphincter. Infection of viruses such as the herpes virus family has been suspected of provoking the autoimmune reaction. Meanwhile, previous reports on immunogenetics have proposed that specific risk alleles on the human leukocyte antigen complex define the susceptible population to achalasia. In this study we reviewed current knowledge regarding the immune-related factors of achalasia, including immunology, viral infection and immunogenetic variations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Yue Wu
- Endoscopy Center and Endoscopy Research Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zu Qiang Liu
- Endoscopy Center and Endoscopy Research Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yun Wang
- Endoscopy Center and Endoscopy Research Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Feng Chen
- Endoscopy Center and Endoscopy Research Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ping Ting Gao
- Endoscopy Center and Endoscopy Research Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Quan Lin Li
- Endoscopy Center and Endoscopy Research Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ping Hong Zhou
- Endoscopy Center and Endoscopy Research Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Rieder E, Fernandez-Becker NQ, Sarosiek J, Guillaume A, Azagury DE, Clarke JO. Achalasia: physiology and diagnosis. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2020; 1482:85-94. [PMID: 33140485 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Achalasia is a rare motility disorder with incomplete relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter and ineffective contractions of the esophageal body. It has been hypothesized that achalasia does not result from only one pathway but rather involves a combination of infectious, autoimmune, and familial etiological components. On the basis of other observations, a novel hypothesis suggests that a muscular form of eosinophilic esophagitis is involved in the pathophysiology of achalasia in some patients. This appears to progressively diminish the myenteric plexus at stage III, gradually destroy it at stage II, and finally eliminate it at stage I, the most advanced and final stage of achalasia. Although high-resolution manometry has identified these three different types of achalasia, another subset of patients with a normal-appearing sphincter relaxation has been proposed. Provocative maneuvers, such as the rapid drinking challenge, have recently been demonstrated to improve diagnosis in certain borderline patients, but have to be studied in more detail. However, whether the different types of achalasia will have a long-term impact on tailored therapies is still a matter of debate. Additionally, novel aspects of the standard timed barium swallow appear to be an important adjunct of diagnosis, as it has been shown to have a diagnostic as well as a predictive value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erwin Rieder
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Jerzy Sarosiek
- Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, El Paso, Texas
| | - Alexandra Guillaume
- Gastrointestinal Motility Center, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University Hospital, Stony Brook, New York
| | - Dan E Azagury
- Minimally Invasive & Bariatric Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California
| | - John O Clarke
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Redwood City, California
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Moradi A, Fazlollahi N, Eshraghi A, Gholipour M, Khoshnia M, Javid N, Montazeri SA, Mikaeli J. Is There Any Evidence for a Viral Cause in Achalasia? Middle East J Dig Dis 2018; 10:169-173. [PMID: 30186580 PMCID: PMC6119833 DOI: 10.15171/mejdd.2018.106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Achalasia, as an incurable disease is defined by the lack of normal esophageal peristalsis and
loss of lower esophageal sphincter relaxation due to impaired myenteric neural plexus. The exact
cause of myenteric neural cells degeneration in achalasia is still unknown. One hypothesis is that
certain neurotropic viruses and autoimmune factors cause the inflammatory response in myenteric
network, which consequently destroy neural cells. This study was designed to find the evidence of
viral causes of achalasia.
METHODS
In this case-control study, 52 patients with achalasia and 50 controls referred to Shariati Hospital,
were evaluated for the genome of neurotropic viruses, HPV, and adenovirus by polymerase chain
reaction (PCR) and reverse transcription (RT) PCR techniques.
RESULTS
Genome assessment of neurotropic DNA viruses turned out negative in the patients, however,
the genome of HSV-1 (Herpes simplex virus) was found in tissues of six controls. No neurotropic
RNA viruses were observed in the tissue samples and whole blood of both the patients and controls.
Among non-neurotropic viruses, adenovirus genome was positive in tissues of two out of 52
patients and three out of 50 controls. In addition, one out of 52 patients and two out of 50 controls
were positive for HPV infection in tissues.
CONCLUSION
We could not detect any significant relationship between achalasia and HPV, adenovirus, and
neurotropic viruses in the cases. Nevertheless, it does not exclude the hypothesis of either an alternate
viral species or resolved viral infection as the etiology of achalasia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdolvahab Moradi
- Golestan Research Center of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Narges Fazlollahi
- Autoimmune and Motility Disorders Research Center, Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amid Eshraghi
- Autoimmune and Motility Disorders Research Center, Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahin Gholipour
- Golestan Research Center of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Masoud Khoshnia
- Golestan Research Center of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Naeme Javid
- Department of Microbiology, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Seyed Ali Montazeri
- Liver and Pancreatobiliary Diseases Research Center, Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Javad Mikaeli
- Autoimmune and Motility Disorders Research Center, Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Furuzawa-Carballeda J, Torres-Landa S, Valdovinos M&A, Coss-Adame E, Martín del Campo LA, Torres-Villalobos G. New insights into the pathophysiology of achalasia and implications for future treatment. World J Gastroenterol 2016; 22:7892-7907. [PMID: 27672286 PMCID: PMC5028805 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v22.i35.7892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2016] [Revised: 07/06/2016] [Accepted: 08/05/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic achalasia is an archetype esophageal motor disorder, causing significant impairment of eating ability and reducing quality of life. The pathophysiological underpinnings of this condition are loss of esophageal peristalsis and insufficient relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The clinical manifestations include dysphagia for both solids and liquids, regurgitation of esophageal contents, retrosternal chest pain, cough, aspiration, weight loss and heartburn. Even though idiopathic achalasia was first described more than 300 years ago, researchers are only now beginning to unravel its complex etiology and molecular pathology. The most recent findings indicate an autoimmune component, as suggested by the presence of circulating anti-myenteric plexus autoantibodies, and a genetic predisposition, as suggested by observed correlations with other well-defined genetic syndromes such as Allgrove syndrome and multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 B syndrome. Viral agents (herpes, varicella zoster) have also been proposed as causative and promoting factors. Unfortunately, the therapeutic approaches available today do not resolve the causes of the disease, and only target the consequential changes to the involved tissues, such as destruction of the LES, rather than restoring or modifying the underlying pathology. New therapies should aim to stop the disease at early stages, thereby preventing the consequential changes from developing and inhibiting permanent damage. This review focuses on the known characteristics of idiopathic achalasia that will help promote understanding its pathogenesis and improve therapeutic management to positively impact the patient’s quality of life.
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Achalasia--An Autoimmune Inflammatory Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study. J Immunol Res 2015; 2015:729217. [PMID: 26078981 PMCID: PMC4452860 DOI: 10.1155/2015/729217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2015] [Revised: 03/24/2015] [Accepted: 04/14/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic achalasia is a disease of unknown etiology. The loss of myenteric plexus associated with inflammatory infiltrates and autoantibodies support the hypothesis of an autoimmune mechanism. Thirty-two patients diagnosed by high-resolution manometry with achalasia were included. Twenty-six specimens from lower esophageal sphincter muscle were compared with 5 esophagectomy biopsies (control). Immunohistochemical (biopsies) and flow cytometry (peripheral blood) analyses were performed. Circulating anti-myenteric autoantibodies were evaluated by indirect immunofluorescence. Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) infection was determined by in situ hybridization, RT-PCR, and immunohistochemistry. Histopathological analysis showed capillaritis (51%), plexitis (23%), nerve hypertrophy (16%), venulitis (7%), and fibrosis (3%). Achalasia tissue exhibited an increase in the expression of proteins involved in extracellular matrix turnover, apoptosis, proinflammatory and profibrogenic cytokines, and Tregs and Bregs versus controls (P < 0.001). Circulating Th22/Th17/Th2/Th1 percentage showed a significant increase versus healthy donors (P < 0.01). Type III achalasia patients exhibited the highest inflammatory response versus types I and II. Prevalence of both anti-myenteric antibodies and HSV-1 infection in achalasia patients was 100% versus 0% in controls. Our results suggest that achalasia is a disease with an important local and systemic inflammatory autoimmune component, associated with the presence of specific anti-myenteric autoantibodies, as well as HSV-1 infection.
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Rivera LR, Poole DP, Thacker M, Furness JB. The involvement of nitric oxide synthase neurons in enteric neuropathies. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2011; 23:980-8. [PMID: 21895878 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2982.2011.01780.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Nitric oxide (NO), produced by the neural nitric oxide synthase enzyme (nNOS) is a transmitter of inhibitory neurons supplying the muscle of the gastrointestinal tract. Transmission from these neurons is necessary for sphincter relaxation that allows the passage of gut contents, and also for relaxation of muscle during propulsive activity in the colon. There are deficiencies of transmission from NOS neurons to the lower esophageal sphincter in esophageal achalasia, to the pyloric sphincter in hypertrophic pyloric stenosis and to the internal anal sphincter in colonic achalasia. Deficits in NOS neurons are observed in two disorders in which colonic propulsion fails, Hirschsprung's disease and Chagas' disease. In addition, damage to NOS neurons occurs when there is stress to cells, in diabetes, resulting in gastroparesis, and following ischemia and reperfusion. A number of factors may contribute to the propensity of NOS neurons to be involved in enteric neuropathies. One of these is the failure of the neurons to maintain Ca(2+) homeostasis. In neurons in general, stress can increase cytoplasmic Ca(2+), causing a Ca(2+) toxicity. NOS neurons face the additional problem that NOS is activated by Ca(2+). This is hypothesized to produce an excess of NO, whose free radical properties can cause cell damage, which is exacerbated by peroxynitrite formed when NO reacts with oxygen free radicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- L R Rivera
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Uzuki M, Kamataki A, Watanabe M, Sasaki N, Miura Y, Sawai T. Histological analysis of esophageal muscular layers from 27 autopsy cases with mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD). Pathol Res Pract 2011; 207:383-90. [DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2011.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2010] [Revised: 04/06/2011] [Accepted: 04/11/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Carlisle EM, Morowitz MJ. Pediatric surgery and the human microbiome. J Pediatr Surg 2011; 46:577-84. [PMID: 21376215 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2010.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2010] [Revised: 11/16/2010] [Accepted: 12/23/2010] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Bold advances in the past decade have made it possible to carefully study the contributions of microbes to normal human development and to disease pathogenesis. The intestinal microbiota has been implicated in adult diseases ranging from obesity to cancer, but there have been relatively few investigations of bacteria in surgical diseases of infancy and childhood. In this review, we discuss how novel culture-independent approaches have been harnessed to profile microbes present within clinical specimens. Unique features of the pediatric microbiota and innovative approaches to manipulate the gut flora are also reviewed. Finally, we detail the contributions of gut microbes to 3 diseases relevant to pediatric surgeons: necrotizing enterocolitis, obesity, and inflammatory bowel disease. Current and future research regarding the pediatric microbiota is likely to translate to improved outcomes for infants and children with surgical diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica M Carlisle
- Department of Surgery, The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
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A metagenomic analysis of pandemic influenza A (2009 H1N1) infection in patients from North America. PLoS One 2010; 5:e13381. [PMID: 20976137 PMCID: PMC2956640 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0013381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2010] [Accepted: 09/21/2010] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Although metagenomics has been previously employed for pathogen discovery, its cost and complexity have prevented its use as a practical front-line diagnostic for unknown infectious diseases. Here we demonstrate the utility of two metagenomics-based strategies, a pan-viral microarray (Virochip) and deep sequencing, for the identification and characterization of 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza A virus. Using nasopharyngeal swabs collected during the earliest stages of the pandemic in Mexico, Canada, and the United States (n = 17), the Virochip was able to detect a novel virus most closely related to swine influenza viruses without a priori information. Deep sequencing yielded reads corresponding to 2009 H1N1 influenza in each sample (percentage of aligned sequences corresponding to 2009 H1N1 ranging from 0.0011% to 10.9%), with up to 97% coverage of the influenza genome in one sample. Detection of 2009 H1N1 by deep sequencing was possible even at titers near the limits of detection for specific RT-PCR, and the percentage of sequence reads was linearly correlated with virus titer. Deep sequencing also provided insights into the upper respiratory microbiota and host gene expression in response to 2009 H1N1 infection. An unbiased analysis combining sequence data from all 17 outbreak samples revealed that 90% of the 2009 H1N1 genome could be assembled de novo without the use of any reference sequence, including assembly of several near full-length genomic segments. These results indicate that a streamlined metagenomics detection strategy can potentially replace the multiple conventional diagnostic tests required to investigate an outbreak of a novel pathogen, and provide a blueprint for comprehensive diagnosis of unexplained acute illnesses or outbreaks in clinical and public health settings.
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