Etiological dignostic value of metagenomic next-generation sequencing in spinal infection

Objective To explore the value of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in the pathogen diagnosis of spinal infection.

Methods A retrospective analysis was performed in 24 hospitalized patients with spinal infection in Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University from January 2018 to December 2019. Spinal tissues were detected by microbial culture method and mNGS.

Results The overall positive rate of mNGS was higher than that of culture method (62.5% vs 35.0%). The average detection time of mNGS was 36-48 h, significantly shorter than that of culture method (21.8 days). The main pathogens of spinal infection were Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli.

Conclusions The mNGS is effective in quick detection of spinal infection pathogens, which can provide important etiological basis for early precise treatment.