Contribution of next generation sequencing to early detection of cytomegalovirus UL97 emerging mutants and viral subpopulations analysis in kidney transplant recipients.

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the major opportunistic virus encountered after transplantation, and resistant variants challenge antiviral treatment. We studied the emergence and evolution of the canonical UL97 L595S mutation in four kidney recipients by comparing Sanger sequencing with a specific next-generation sequencing (NGS) assay, and assessed the global evolution of UL97 gene variability.

Study Design: Plasmids harbouring wild-type and/or L595S mutated UL97 genes were used to assess the analytical performances of NGS assay.