Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing vs. Traditional Microbiological Tests for Diagnosing Varicella-Zoster Virus Central Nervous System Infection.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Unbiased metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) detects pathogens in a target-independent manner. It is not well-understood whether mNGS has comparable sensitivity to target-dependent nucleic acid test for pathogen identification.

Methods

This study included 31 patients with chickenpox and neurological symptoms for screening of possible varicella-zoster virus (VZV) central nervous system (CNS) infection. Microbiological diagnosing of VZV cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) infection was performed on stored CSF samples using mNGS, quantitative and qualitative VZV-specific PCR assays, and VZV IgM antibodies test.

Results

The median age was 30.0 [interquartile range (IQR), 24.3-33.3] years. 51.6% of the patients were men. About 80.6% of the patients had normal CS

SUBMITTER: Zhu Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8814106 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature