Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing Is Highly Efficient in Diagnosing Pneumocystis Jirovecii Pneumonia in the Immunocompromised Patients
Dongsheng Wang, Shihua Fang, Xiaowen Hu, Qixia Xu, Xinmin Chu, Xiaodong Mei, Wang Xie
Abstract
Purposes To explore the value of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in diagnosing pneumocystis jiroveciipneumonia (PJP) in the immunocompromised patients. Methods Data of 122 patients with PJP in an immunosuppressed state and 67 non-PJP patients were collected. The diagnostic efficacy of mNGS was compared with the conventional methods, including Gomori methenamine silver (GMS) staining and serum (1,3)-β-D-glucan (BDG). Changes of anti-microbial therapy for patients with PJP based on mNGS results were also reviewed. Results The diagnostic sensitivity of mNGS to PJP was higher than that of GMS and BDG (100% vs. 15 and 74.5%, p < 0.001). The diagnostic specificity (91.%) was lower than that of GMS (100%), and similar with BDG (89.6%). In addition to P. jirovecii, mNGS revealed co-pathogens like human β-herpesvirus 5, human γ-pesvirus 4, and some other opportunistic pathogens. The reads of mNGS were remarkably higher in BALF than in blood samples. Initial antimicrobial treatment was modified in 89.3% patients based on the mNGS results, and 74 cases (60.7%) were treated with anti- P. jirovecii therapy. Conclusion mNGS is highly efficient in diagnosing PJP and good at identifying pathogens in mixed infections.