Genetic sex validation for sample tracking in next-generation sequencing clinical testing

BMC Res Notes. 2024 Mar 3;17(1):62. doi: 10.1186/s13104-024-06723-w.

Abstract

Objective: Data from DNA genotyping via a 96-SNP panel in a study of 25,015 clinical samples were utilized for quality control and tracking of sample identity in a clinical sequencing network. The study aimed to demonstrate the value of both the precise SNP tracking and the utility of the panel for predicting the sex-by-genotype of the participants, to identify possible sample mix-ups.

Results: Precise SNP tracking showed no sample swap errors within the clinical testing laboratories. In contrast, when comparing predicted sex-by-genotype to the provided sex on the test requisition, we identified 110 inconsistencies from 25,015 clinical samples (0.44%), that had occurred during sample collection or accessioning. The genetic sex predictions were confirmed using additional SNP sites in the sequencing data or high-density genotyping arrays. It was determined that discrepancies resulted from clerical errors (49.09%), samples from transgender participants (3.64%) and stem cell or bone marrow transplant patients (7.27%) along with undetermined sample mix-ups (40%) for which sample swaps occurred prior to arrival at genome centers, however the exact cause of the events at the sampling sites resulting in the mix-ups were not able to be determined.

Keywords: Clinical testing; Next-generation sequencing (NGS); SNP genotyping; Sex concordance.

MeSH terms

  • Bone Marrow Transplantation
  • Clinical Laboratory Services*
  • Genotype
  • High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing*
  • Humans
  • Laboratories