# Metatranscriptomic Analysis of Oropharyngeal Samples Reveals Common Respiratory Viruses and a Potential Interspecies Transmitted Picobirnavirus in the Wayuu Population, La Guajira, Colombia

## TL;DR

A study in Colombia's Wayuu population found common respiratory viruses and a possible interspecies-transmitted virus using advanced sequencing techniques.

## Contribution

The study reveals a potential interspecies-transmitted picobirnavirus in the Wayuu population using metatranscriptomic sequencing.

## Key findings

- Common respiratory viruses like Coronavirus and Influenza were detected using RT-qPCR.
- Metatranscriptomic sequencing identified six viral contigs related to Orthopicobirnavirus hominis.
- Phylogenetic analysis suggests possible interspecies transmission of the detected picobirnavirus.

## Abstract

Acute respiratory infections and other infectious diseases causing acute febrile syndrome are major public health concerns in Colombia, particularly among vulnerable populations such as the Wayuu Indigenous community in Manaure, La Guajira. To investigate their viral etiology, 55 nasopharyngeal swabs and 58 serum samples were collected from febrile Wayuu individuals in Manaure. RT-qPCR screening identified Coronavirus, Enteroviruses, Adenovirus, and Influenza A/B in respiratory samples, while no arboviruses were detected in serum. Sixteen representative samples underwent metatranscriptomic next-generation sequencing (mtNGS) using the Chan-Zuckerberg ID (CZ-ID) platform. This analysis confirmed RT-qPCR findings and additionally revealed six viral contigs related to Orthopicobirnavirus hominis. Sequencing coverage enabled the reconstruction of a consensus RdRp segment, which was phylogenetically compared with sequences from diverse hosts. The virus clustered within genogroup 1, alongside Colombian isolates linked to severe acute respiratory infection. The absence of strict host-specific clustering suggests possible interspecies transmission. These findings underscore the complementary roles of targeted and unbiased approaches: RT-qPCR detected common respiratory viruses, whereas mtNGS uncovered a virus previously unreported in this community. Overall, mtNGS emerges as a powerful tool to support viral surveillance and provide baseline evidence in indigenous populations, emphasizing the need to decentralize advanced molecular diagnostics and strengthen public health capacity in Colombia.