Application of Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing in Suspected Spinal Infectious Diseases

This study aimed to explore the clinical efficacy of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in diagnosing and treating suspected spinal infectious diseases.

Between October 2022 to December 2023, a retrospective analysis was performed on patient records within the Department of Spinal Surgery at Guilin People's Hospital. The analysis included comprehensive data on patients with presumed spinal infectious diseases, incorporating results from mNGS tests conducted externally, conventional pathogen detection results, laboratory examination results, and imaging findings. The study aimed to assess the applicability of mNGS in the context of suspected spinal infectious lesions.

Twenty-seven patients were included in the final analysis. Pathogenic microorganisms were identified in 23 cases. The included cases encompassed 1 case of tuberculous spondylitis, 1 case of fungal infection, 3 cases of Brucella spondylitis, 3 cases of viral infection, 9 cases of bacterial infection, and 6 cases of mixed infections. Pathogenic microorganisms remained elusive in 4 cases. The application of the mNGS method demonstrated a significantly elevated positive detection rate compared to conventional methods (85.19% vs. 48.15%, P < 0.05). Moreover, the mNGS method detected a greater variety of pathogen species than traditional methods (Z = 10.69, P < 0.05). Additionally, the mNGS method exhibited a shorter detection time.

mNGS demonstrated significantly higher detection rates for bacterial, fungal, viral, and mixed infections in cases of suspected spinal infectious diseases. The clinical implementation of mNGS could further enhance the efficiency of diagnosing and treating suspected spinal infectious diseases.