Complete Genome Sequencing and Genomic Characterization of Orthohantavirus chocloense Using Tiled Polymerase Chain Reaction

In the present study, a tiled amplification protocol was developed to cover the three segments of Choclo virus (CHOV), which was subsequently used for sequencing samples from different provinces within the endemic zone in Panama. The developed protocol yielded a coverage of the CHOV genome greater than 99% for most of the sample's segments, and the four consensus sequences obtained had a mean coverage of 94-99%. Generating a significant number of whole-genome sequences is necessary for studying genomic characteristics among CHOV isolated from rodent hosts, as well as those isolated from human samples. Employing enhanced methodology for whole-genome consensus facilitates the validation and advancement of cutting-edge detection methods, while also providing valuable insights for comprehensive studies on CHOV.