Highly-multiplexed serology for non-human mammals

• Published in: bioRxiv 2022-07
• Main Authors: Schuettenberg, Alexa, Piña, Alejandra, Morgan Metrailer, Peláez-Sánchez, Ronald Guillermo, Agudelo-Flórez, Piedad, Juan Álvaro Lopez, Ryle, Luke, Monroy, Fernando P, Altin, John A, Ladner, Jason T
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antigens; Infectious diseases; Metagenomics; Protein G; Proteins; Serology; Species; Viral infections; Viruses
• DOI: 10.1101/2022.05.24.493290

Emerging infectious diseases represent a serious and ongoing threat to humans. Most emerging viruses are maintained in stable relationships with other species of animals, and emergence within the human population results from cross-species transmission. Therefore, if we want to be prepared for the next emerging virus, we need to broadly characterize the diversity and ecology of viruses currently infecting other animals (i.e., the animal virosphere). High-throughput metagenomic sequencing has accelerated the pace of virus discovery. However, molecular assays can only detect active viral infections and only if virus is present within the sampled fluid or tissue at the time of collection. In contrast, serological assays measure long-lived antibody responses to infections, which can be detected within the blood, regardless of the infected tissues. Therefore, serological assays can provide a complementary approach to understanding the circulation of viruses, and while serological assays have historically been limited in scope, recent advancements allow 1000s to 100,000s of antigens to be assessed simultaneously using