Application of targeted next-generation sequencing for pathogens diagnosis and drug resistance prediction in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of pulmonary infections

BackgroundRecently, targeted next-generation sequencing (tNGS) have been extensively utilized for the identification of pathogens in pulmonary infections, there have been some studies systematically evaluating differences in the efficacy of tNGS and conventional microbiological tests (CMTs) in bronc...

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Main Authors: Qiugui Xu, Qiumei Chen, Wen Qiu, Lili Liu, Wan Zeng, Jinling Chen, Yangyang Li, Zhen Guo, Ling Rong, Bigui Chen, Jinxiu Yao, Liye Yang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1590881/full
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author Qiugui Xu
Qiumei Chen
Wen Qiu
Lili Liu
Wan Zeng
Jinling Chen
Yangyang Li
Zhen Guo
Ling Rong
Bigui Chen
Jinxiu Yao
Liye Yang
author_facet Qiugui Xu
Qiumei Chen
Wen Qiu
Lili Liu
Wan Zeng
Jinling Chen
Yangyang Li
Zhen Guo
Ling Rong
Bigui Chen
Jinxiu Yao
Liye Yang
author_sort Qiugui Xu
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundRecently, targeted next-generation sequencing (tNGS) have been extensively utilized for the identification of pathogens in pulmonary infections, there have been some studies systematically evaluating differences in the efficacy of tNGS and conventional microbiological tests (CMTs) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) specimens.MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on 203 patients with pulmonary infections treated in one tertiary hospital from July 2023 to February 2024. BALF specimens underwent parallel testing via tNGS and CMTs. Pathogen detection consistency, the drug resistance genes concordance with phenotypic drug sensitivity, and clinical impact of tNGS-guided therapy adjustments were analyzed. Furthermore, two patients with complex infections were selected for tNGS microbiological surveillance to evaluate the efficacy of monitoring severe pneumonia.ResultsThis study included 205 confirmed infectious BALF specimens (two patients were tested twice). tNGS identified 56 putative pathogens, compared to 20 by CMTs, with a significantly higher positive rate (99.5% vs. 35.6%, P<0.0001). The detection of pathogenic microorganisms using tNGS showed a high concordance rate with the results of CMTs. tNGS-guided therapy adjustments occurred in 17.2% (35/203) of patients. Resistance gene predictions aligned with the drug sensitivity results in 40% (6/15) of carbapenem-resistant organisms (CROs) and 80% (4/5) of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) cases. Additionally, for monitored two patients with severe pneumonia, the tNGS results were consistent with the culture and imaging test results during treatment.ConclusionsThe application of tNGS highlights its promise and significance in identifying potential pathogens, predicting drug resistance, and providing guidance for anti-infection therapies for severe pneumonia. It can be at least a complementary approach to CMTs reporting.
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spelling doaj-art-fcd272f02afe495393b5bca86c8ebcd82025-08-20T02:05:17ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology2235-29882025-06-011510.3389/fcimb.2025.15908811590881Application of targeted next-generation sequencing for pathogens diagnosis and drug resistance prediction in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of pulmonary infectionsQiugui Xu0Qiumei Chen1Wen Qiu2Lili Liu3Wan Zeng4Jinling Chen5Yangyang Li6Zhen Guo7Ling Rong8Bigui Chen9Jinxiu Yao10Liye Yang11Clinical Laboratory, People’s Hospital of Yangjiang, Yangjiang, Guangdong, ChinaClinical Laboratory, People’s Hospital of Yangjiang, Yangjiang, Guangdong, ChinaDepartment of Radiology, People’s Hospital of Yangjiang, Yangjiang, Guangdong, ChinaPrecision Medical Lab Center, People’s Hospital of Yangjiang, Yangjiang, Guangdong, ChinaClinical Laboratory, People’s Hospital of Yangjiang, Yangjiang, Guangdong, ChinaClinical Laboratory, People’s Hospital of Yangjiang, Yangjiang, Guangdong, ChinaClinical Laboratory, People’s Hospital of Yangjiang, Yangjiang, Guangdong, ChinaClinical Laboratory, Chest Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, ChinaDepartment of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, People’s Hospital of Yangjiang, Yangjiang, Guangdong, ChinaDepartment of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, People’s Hospital of Yangjiang, Yangjiang, Guangdong, ChinaClinical Laboratory, People’s Hospital of Yangjiang, Yangjiang, Guangdong, ChinaPrecision Medical Lab Center, People’s Hospital of Yangjiang, Yangjiang, Guangdong, ChinaBackgroundRecently, targeted next-generation sequencing (tNGS) have been extensively utilized for the identification of pathogens in pulmonary infections, there have been some studies systematically evaluating differences in the efficacy of tNGS and conventional microbiological tests (CMTs) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) specimens.MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on 203 patients with pulmonary infections treated in one tertiary hospital from July 2023 to February 2024. BALF specimens underwent parallel testing via tNGS and CMTs. Pathogen detection consistency, the drug resistance genes concordance with phenotypic drug sensitivity, and clinical impact of tNGS-guided therapy adjustments were analyzed. Furthermore, two patients with complex infections were selected for tNGS microbiological surveillance to evaluate the efficacy of monitoring severe pneumonia.ResultsThis study included 205 confirmed infectious BALF specimens (two patients were tested twice). tNGS identified 56 putative pathogens, compared to 20 by CMTs, with a significantly higher positive rate (99.5% vs. 35.6%, P<0.0001). The detection of pathogenic microorganisms using tNGS showed a high concordance rate with the results of CMTs. tNGS-guided therapy adjustments occurred in 17.2% (35/203) of patients. Resistance gene predictions aligned with the drug sensitivity results in 40% (6/15) of carbapenem-resistant organisms (CROs) and 80% (4/5) of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) cases. Additionally, for monitored two patients with severe pneumonia, the tNGS results were consistent with the culture and imaging test results during treatment.ConclusionsThe application of tNGS highlights its promise and significance in identifying potential pathogens, predicting drug resistance, and providing guidance for anti-infection therapies for severe pneumonia. It can be at least a complementary approach to CMTs reporting.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1590881/fulltargeted next-generation sequencing (TNGS)conventional microbiological tests (CMTs)pulmonary infectionbronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF)pathogens
spellingShingle Qiugui Xu
Qiumei Chen
Wen Qiu
Lili Liu
Wan Zeng
Jinling Chen
Yangyang Li
Zhen Guo
Ling Rong
Bigui Chen
Jinxiu Yao
Liye Yang
Application of targeted next-generation sequencing for pathogens diagnosis and drug resistance prediction in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of pulmonary infections
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
targeted next-generation sequencing (TNGS)
conventional microbiological tests (CMTs)
pulmonary infection
bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF)
pathogens
title Application of targeted next-generation sequencing for pathogens diagnosis and drug resistance prediction in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of pulmonary infections
title_full Application of targeted next-generation sequencing for pathogens diagnosis and drug resistance prediction in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of pulmonary infections
title_fullStr Application of targeted next-generation sequencing for pathogens diagnosis and drug resistance prediction in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of pulmonary infections
title_full_unstemmed Application of targeted next-generation sequencing for pathogens diagnosis and drug resistance prediction in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of pulmonary infections
title_short Application of targeted next-generation sequencing for pathogens diagnosis and drug resistance prediction in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of pulmonary infections
title_sort application of targeted next generation sequencing for pathogens diagnosis and drug resistance prediction in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of pulmonary infections
topic targeted next-generation sequencing (TNGS)
conventional microbiological tests (CMTs)
pulmonary infection
bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF)
pathogens
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1590881/full
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