Rapid respiratory cryptococcosis detection using targeted next-generation sequencing.

ABSTRACT: Cryptococcus neoformans, a WHO critical-priority and neglected fungal pathogen, causes cryptococcosis primarily via inhalation. Clinical manifestations range from asymptomatic infection to fatal meningitis; suboptimal diagnostics cause delayed detection and high meningitis mortality. This retrospective study evaluated the clinical utility of targeted next-generation sequencing (tNGS) for diagnosing pulmonary cryptococcosis using respiratory specimens, compared to serum cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) testing and fungal culture. Over 38 months, 39 patients with confirmed cryptococcosis were enrolled. tNGS detected Cryptococcus neoformans in 92.3% (36/39) of respiratory samples, significantly outperforming fungal culture (23.1%, 9/39; P < 0.05). Serum CrAg testing was positive in 64.7% (22/34) o

SUBMITTER: Deng C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12633896 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature