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Updated: Sep 3, 2026

Generating Whole Bacterial Genomes from Clinical Samples using a Target Enrichment Workflow
Published on: August 15, 2025
Employing Metagenomics Capture targeted next-generation sequencing for the etiological diagnosis of bloodstream
Chuyu Lao1, Zihuan Li2, Guanwen Lin2
1Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Background:
Bloodstream infections (BSIs) represent a significant public health concern. Metagenomic Capture targeted next-generation sequencing technology, as a newly emerging method for pathogen detection, has been applied in the etiological diagnosis of various infectious diseases and demonstrates good diagnostic efficacy. However, there is relatively limited research on the diagnostic value of this technology for the etiological diagnosis of BSIs.
Methods:
A comprehensive retrospective analysis was performed on patients suspected of having BSIs who were admitted to the Affiliated Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital of Jinan University in 2024. These patients underwent both blood culture analysis and Metagenomic Capture targeted next-generation sequencing technology for diagnostic testing, and a detailed comparison of the results was conducted.
Results:
It was found that the Metagenomic Capture-targeted next-generation sequencing method has a shorter time to result [1.33 (1.18 - 1.69) vs 2.73 (1.89 - 3.84) days, p < 0.001], more pathogenic microbial species detected, higher positive detection rate and higher sensitivity than blood culture.
Conclusions:
Metagenomic Capture targeted next-generation sequencing technology is a promising tool for pathogen identification in BSIs, offering substantial methodological advantages in terms of turnaround time, detection breadth, and sensitivity. These diagnostic performance characteristics support its potential utility in clinical microbiology practice.
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