Diagnostic efficacy of metagenomic next-generation sequencing for spinal infections

To comparatively evaluate the diagnostic value of metagenomic nextgeneration sequencing (mNGS) versus conventional microbial culture in spinal infections.

A cross-section design was conducted on 82 consecutive patients with suspected spinal infections treated between February 2022 and January 2024 at Jiangbei Branch of First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University). Microbiological culture, histopathological examination, and mNGS results from infected specimens were analyzed. Clinical diagnosis, primarily based on clinical manifestations, laboratory tests and radiologic features combined with medical history, was defined as the gold standard, and then the diagnostic performance, including sensitivity and specificity, were compared between mNGS and microbial culture.

Among the 82 patients, definitive microbiological evidence was identified in 70 cases, and mNGS demonstrated a significantly higher detection rate than microbial culture (64 vs 36 cases, 78. 05% vs 43. 9%, P<0. 05). mNGS also obtained obviously higher sensitivity, accuracy, and negative predictive value (NPV), and notably lower positive predictive value (PPV) when compared to conventional microbial culture (all P<0. 05). When stratified by infection type, mNGS obtained significantly higher sensitivity and accuracy compared to microbial culture in tuberculous spinal infections (P<0. 05). For non-tuberculous spinal infections, mNGS also showed superior sensitivity to microbial culture (P<0. 05).

In patients with spinal infections, mNGS demonstrates a significantly higher pathogen detection rate than conventional microbial culture. This technique can provide early and broad-spectrum pathogenic microbiological evidence for spinal infection.