AUTHOR=Wang Huyan , Shi Xiaowei , Yang Huanhuan , Du Yan , Xue Jing TITLE=Metagenomic next-generation sequencing shotgun for the diagnosis of infection in connective tissue diseases: A retrospective study JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology VOLUME=12 YEAR=2022 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cellular-and-infection-microbiology/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2022.865637 DOI=10.3389/fcimb.2022.865637 ISSN=2235-2988 ABSTRACT=Objective

Patients with connective tissue diseases (CTDs) are at high risk of infection due to various reasons. The purpose of the study was to investigate the infection diagnosis value of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) shotgun in CTDs to guide the use of anti-infective therapy more quickly and accurately.

Methods

In this retrospective study, a total of 103 patients with CTDs admitted with suspected infection between December 2018 and September 2021 were assessed using mNGS as well as conventional microbiological tests (CMT).

Results

Among these 103 patients, 65 were confirmed to have an infection (Group I) and 38 had no infection (Group II). mNGS reached a sensitivity of 92.31% in diagnosing pathogens in Group I. Moreover, mNGS showed good performance in identifying mixed infection. In all infection types, lung infection was the most common. mNGS also played an important role in detecting Pneumocystis jirovecii, which was associated with low CD4+ T-cell counts inextricably.

Conclusion

mNGS is a useful tool with outstanding diagnostic potential in identifying pathogens in patients with CTDs and conduce to provide guidance in clinical practice.