Metagenomic characterization of transfusion transmitted infections (TTIs).

In recent years blood safety has been dramatically improved but emergence of infectious agents that may be transmitted by blood products remains a challenge. Current assays used in blood establishments for pathogen detection are target specific, and ineffective for unknown pathogens. Pathogen reduction technologies is promising but not equally effective for all pathogens. The metagenomic sequencing enables unbiased characterization of infectious disease agents. We developed a metagenomic nanopore sequencing approach to characterize pathogens transmitted through blood and blood products. We hope to apply this agnostic approach to detect pathogens before an outbreak and eliminate risk of transfusion transmitted infections.