STROBE-metagenomics: a STROBE extension statement to guide the reporting of metagenomics studies

Tehmina Bharucha, Clarissa Oeser, Francois Balloux, Julianne R. Brown, Ellen C. Carbo, Andre Charlett, Charles Y. Chiu, Eric C.J. Claas, Marcus C. de Goffau, Jutte J.C. de Vries, Marc Eloit, Susan Hopkins, Jim F. Huggett, Duncan MacCannell, Sofia Morfopoulou, Avindra Nath, Denise M. O'Sullivan, Lauren B. Reoma, Liam P. Shaw, Igor SidorovPatricia J. Simner, Le Van Tan, Emma C. Thomson, Lucy van Dorp, Michael R. Wilson, Judith Breuer, Nigel Field

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

The term metagenomics refers to the use of sequencing methods to simultaneously identify genomic material from all organisms present in a sample, with the advantage of greater taxonomic resolution than culture or other methods. Applications include pathogen detection and discovery, species characterisation, antimicrobial resistance detection, virulence profiling, and study of the microbiome and microecological factors affecting health. However, metagenomics involves complex and multistep processes and there are important technical and methodological challenges that require careful consideration to support valid inference. We co-ordinated a multidisciplinary, international expert group to establish reporting guidelines that address specimen processing, nucleic acid extraction, sequencing platforms, bioinformatics considerations, quality assurance, limits of detection, power and sample size, confirmatory testing, causality criteria, cost, and ethical issues. The guidance recognises that metagenomics research requires pragmatism and caution in interpretation, and that this field is rapidly evolving.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)e251-e260
JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases
Volume20
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2020

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Infectious Diseases

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