Table 2 The analytical challenge presented by multiclonal infections: a hypothetical example of a multiclonal blood sample

Unobserved true genotypes

Clone 1

N

C

S

A

K

Clone 2

N

C

S

A

K

Clone 3

I

C

N

A

K

Clone 4

N

R

N

A

K

Clone 5

I

C

N

G

E

Observed data

N/I

C/R

S/N

A/G

K/E

Example of an incorrect interpretation of the observed data

Genotype of clone inferred by discounting wild type markers

I

R

N

G

E

Genotype of clone inferred by discounting minority markers

N

C

N

A

K