Application of metagenomic next-generation sequencing in Diagnosing Unexplained Pulmonary Infection

Abstract

Abstract The purpose of this study was to evaluate the value of clinical of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in diagnosing unexplained pulmonary Infection. A total of 99 patients with pulmonary infection were selected, and their specimens were collected and sent to traditional methods for detection, and at the same time, they were sent out for pathogen mNGS detection. The detection sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic efficiency of pathogenic microorganisms were analyzed by comparing the results of traditional detection method and mNGS sequencing. In 99 patients, pathogens were detected in 75.76% (75/99) samples by traditional assay and 95.96% (95/99) samples by mNGS. A total of 154 pathogens were detected by mNGS and 29 by traditional methods. The number and species of pathogens detected by mNGS were significantly higher than those detected by traditional culture, and the difference was statistically significant.The positive rates of bacteria, viruses, fungi and atypical pathogens detected by mNGS were 87.37%, 85.37%, 83.02% and 100%, respectively. The positive rates of bacteria, viruses, fungi and atypical pathogens detected by traditional methods were 66.32%, 19.51%, 26.42% and 14.29%, respectively.The differences were statistically significant. mNGS is superior to traditional methods in the sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic efficiency of clinical etiological detection, and has high diagnostic value of disease, thus further guiding the rational use of antibacterial drugs.