Metagenomic analysis of the human gut virome reveals functional signatures and viral stability across hospitalized and non-hospitalized diarrheal and non-diarrheal individuals.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The human gut virome is a fundamental yet understudied component of the intestinal microbiome. However, its taxonomic composition and functional potential in Latin American populations remain poorly understood, particularly under clinical stressors such as hospitalization and diarrhea conditions often linked to microbial dysbiosis.

Methods

We conducted a hybrid metagenomic analysis of the human gut virome from 37 fecal samples: 10 from patients admitted to intensive care units (ICU), 13 from hospitalized patients outside the ICU (Non-ICU), and 14 from non-diarrheic individuals, including taxonomic and functional profiling of viruses and detection of viral auxiliary metabolic genes (vAMGs).

Results

We identified 494 high-quality viral vOTUs, from which 37,61

SUBMITTER: Ramirez AL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12927239 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature