AMPLICON-BASED NGS FOR DETECTION AND GENOTYPING OF HERPESVIRUSES IN HEALTHY PALESTINIAN INDIVIDUALS IN SPECIFIC REGIONS IN PALESTINE
Date
2026-05-12
Authors
Bushra Mahmoud Ismail Mahmoud
Abed Almajeed Naseredden
Bushra Mahmoud Ismail Mahmoud
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Deanship of Scientific Research - Al-Quds University
Abstract
Herpesviruses, including Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), and type 2 (HSV-2), are widespread and pose serious public health challenges due to their ability to persist in the body and spread easily. While diagnostic tools have improved over the years, commonly used methods like serological tests and PCR-based assays still have limitations. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has opened a new era in viral diagnosis, allowing for the simultaneous detection of multiple viruses in a single test, thereby improving both speed and precision of results. In Palestine, there is a significant gap in research on herpesvirus prevalence and genotypes, and access to advanced molecular diagnostics such as NGS remains limited. Many local laboratories still rely on traditional methods, which may lead to underdiagnosis or misclassification of infections. Since herpesviruses can remain latent without causing symptoms, an NGS-based approach that screens for all herpesviruses in a single test could enhance detection while reducing costs. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and genetic diversity of herpesviruses among asymptomatic individuals, addressing a critical need for improved viral surveillance in the region.