Abstract

The rapid and accurate detection and identification of novel pathogens are critical for timely public health response and effective management of infectious diseases. In this study, we present a comprehensive approach for the detection and identification of a novel pathogen, leveraging advanced molecular techniques and bioinformatics analysis. First, we employed metagenomic sequencing to capture and sequence the entire genetic material present in clinical samples collected from affected individuals. Subsequently, we utilized state-of-the-art bioinformatics tools to analyze the metagenomic data, enabling the identification and characterization of the pathogen's genome. To validate the identification, we developed specific molecular assays, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and nextgeneration sequencing (NGS), targeting unique genetic markers of the novel pathogen. These assays were evaluated using a panel of known pathogens and clinical samples from patients with confirmed infections. Furthermore, we conducted a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis to assess the evolutionary relationship of the novel pathogen with other related species, shedding light on its potential origin and transmission dynamics. The detection and identification pipeline developed in this study demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity, accurately detecting and characterizing the novel pathogen from diverse clinical samples. Overall, this research provides a robust framework for the timely identification and characterization of emerging pathogens, facilitating rapid public health response and guiding appropriate interventions to mitigate the spread and impact of infectious diseases.