Integrating DNA and RNA sequencing for enhanced pathogen detection in respiratory infections.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The clinical value of shotgun metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in improving the detection rates of respiratory pathogens is well-established. However, mNGS is complex and expensive. This study designed and evaluated the performance of targeted NGS (tNGS) in diagnosing respiratory infections.

Methods

We retrospectively included samples from 281 patients with lower respiratory tract infections to establish thresholds of pathogens. Subsequently, target pathogens were selected and a probe hybridization system was established. The performance and clinical manifestations of tNGS for 306 pathogens were evaluated using clinical and simulated samples.

Results

The tNGS method took 16 h with sequencing data sizes of 5 M reads. The limit-of-detection of tN

SUBMITTER: Gu D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11907987 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature