Clinical application value of metagenomic next-generation sequencing in the diagnosis of central nervous system infections

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical application value of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in central nervous system (CNS) infections. Methods: Both mNGS and routine examination of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from patients with CNS infections retrospectively analyzed the efficacy of mNGS in this cohort and were ultimately compared with a clinical diagnosis. Results: A total of 94 cases consistent with CNS infections were included in the analysis. The positive rate for mNGS is 60.6% (57/94), which is significantly higher than 20.2% (19/94; p < 0.01) detected using conventional methods. mNGS detected 21 pathogenic strains that could not be detected by routine testing. Routine tests were positive for two pathogens but negative for mNGS. The sensitivity and specificity of mNGS in the diagnosis of central nervous system infections were 89.5% and 44%, respectively, when compared with traditional tests. At discharge, 20 (21.3%) patients were cured, 55 (58.5%) patients showed improvements, five (5.3%) patients did not recover, and two (2.1%) patients died. Conclusion: mNGS has unique advantages in the diagnosis of central nervous system infections. mNGS tests can be performed when patients are clinically suspected of having a central nervous system infection but no pathogenic evidence.