DNA Test Detects Three Times More Lung Pathogens Than Traditional Methods

Traditional microbiological tests (CMTs) used for detecting pathogens typically rely on methods such as culture growth, microscopy, and targeted PCR assays. While these tests are known for their specificity, they have a limited range. CMTs are generally cost-effective for diagnosing common infections, but they often struggle with identifying rare or atypical pathogens. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS), however, offers a broader scope and faster results, enabling the identification of uncommon pathogens such as Pneumocystis and herpesviruses within days. This speed and accuracy are crucial for providing timely and precise treatment. Now, a new study has shown that mNGS can significantly enhance the early detection of pathogens and expedite the creation of targeted anti-infection treatment plans, improving treatment efficacy and patient outcomes.

The study conducted by researchers at Nanchang University (Jiangxi, China) and BGI Genomics (Shenzhen, China) revealed that mNGS detected pathogens in 86% of cases, a significant improvement over CMTs, which only identified pathogens in 67% of cases. mNGS demonstrated a broader detection spectrum, identifying 59 bacteria, 18 fungi, 14 viruses, and 4 special pathogens, compared to only 28 pathogens identified by CMTs. This increased detection capability makes mNGS an invaluable tool for diagnosing pulmonary infections more comprehensively. The study, published in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, also showed that mNGS results helped guide treatment decisions for difficult-to-diagnose pathogens, leading to better outcomes for patients. Adjusting treatment plans based on mNGS findings improved the prognosis for 16 patients infected with pathogens typically missed by conventional tests.

The mNGS method proved to be an effective tool in clinical decision-making for infection management. In the study, doctors used mNGS results to adjust antibiotic treatments for 133 patients, with 40.6% of those cases benefiting from more targeted therapies. Despite a single instance of unnecessary antibiotic use, the overall findings indicate that mNGS can be trusted to optimize patient care. The mNGS method excelled at detecting atypical pathogens like Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia psittaci, as well as fungal infections such as Pneumocystis jirovecii and Talaromyces marneffei. These pathogens, which are often missed by traditional diagnostic methods, were successfully identified using mNGS. As a result, mNGS simplifies the pathogen detection process by providing greater sensitivity and a broader range of detection capabilities compared to conventional methods. Its integration into clinical practice offers more accurate, timely diagnoses and supports more targeted treatments, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes in the treatment of pulmonary infections.

"Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) provides a broad-spectrum, rapid, and precise diagnostic approach for detecting pathogens in pulmonary infections. This enables personalized anti-infection therapy and enhances patient outcomes,” said Wang Xiaozhong, a professor at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University and corresponding author of the study. “In the future, integrating mNGS with clinical manifestations, imaging findings, and traditional testing methods for multidimensional analysis will help establish an integrated diagnostic and treatment model featuring 'rapid identification—precise intervention—dynamic monitoring.”