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Encephalitis diagnosis using metagenomics: application of next generation sequencing for undiagnosed cases.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Current estimates suggest that even in the most resourced settings, the aetiology of encephalitis is identified in less than half of clinical cases. It is acknowledged that filling this gap needs a combination of rigorous sampling and improved diagnostic technologies. Next generation sequencing (NGS) methods are powerful tools with the potential for comprehensive and unbiased detection of pathogens in clinical samples. We reviewed the use of this new technology for the diagnosis of suspected infectious encephalitis, and discuss the feasibility for introduction of NGS methods as a frontline diagnostic test. METHODS:A systematic literature review was performed, using MESH and text word searches for variants of "sequencing" and "encephalitis" in Medline and EMbase, and searching bibliographies and citations using the Web of Science database. Two authors independently reviewed, extracted and summarised data. FINDINGS:The review identified 25 articles reporting 44 case reports of patients with suspected encephalitis for whom NGS was used as a diagnostic tool. We present the data and highlight themes arising from these cases. There are no randomly controlled trials to assess the utility of NGS as a diagnostic tool. INTERPRETATION:There is increasing evidence of a role for NGS in the work-up of undiagnosed encephalitis. Lower costs and increasing accessibility of these technologies will facilitate larger studies of these patients. We recommend NGS should be considered as a front-line diagnostic test in chronic and recurring presentations and, given current sample-to-result turn-around times, as second-line in acute cases of encephalitis.

SUBMITTER: Brown JR

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7112567 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:Abstract Background Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) of CSF can identify nearly all pathogens in a single test. We previously validated a CSF mNGS assay in a licensed clinical laboratory. To date, the utility of mNGS for infectious disease diagnosis has been described in case reports and small case series, but not in a large-scale clinical trial. Methods The PDAID (“Precision Diagnosis of Acute Infectious Diseases”) study was a 1-year nationwide prospective study across 8 tertiary care hospitals to evaluate the performance and utility of a clinical metagenomic sequencing assay for diagnosis of meningitis, encephalitis, or myelitis from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT02910037). We recruited acutely ill hospitalized inpatients lacking a diagnosis at the time of enrollment. CSF samples were processed and analyzed by mNGS testing within 1 week of receipt in the clinical microbiology laboratory, with sequencing results reported in the patient medical record and used to make contemporaneous treatment decisions. Weekly clinical microbial sequencing boards were convened to discuss mNGS results with treating physicians, and clinical impact evaluated by surveys, chart review, and direct clinician feedback. Results A total of 204 patients were enrolled. Patients were severely ill (ICU 48%, average length of stay 26 days, overall 30-day mortality 7.4%). Fifty-nine neurologic infections were diagnosed in 57 patients (27.9%). mNGS identified 15 (25.4%) infections that were missed by all conventional microbiological tests, including emerging and/or uncommon pathogens such as St. Louis encephalitis virus, hepatitis E virus acquired by lung transplant, and Nocardia farcinica. Twelve of the 15 mNGS-only diagnoses (80%) had clinical impact, with 9 of 15 (60%) guiding appropriate treatment. For diagnosis of infections by direct detection CSF testing, mNGS had 79.1% sensitivity and 98.8% specificity, versus 65.1% sensitivity and 99.4% specificity by conventional testing. Conclusion A significant proportion of neurologic infections are missed despite extensive diagnostic testing performed in tertiary care hospitals. Clinical metagenomic CSF testing was found to be useful in increasing the number of diagnosed neurologic infections and providing actionable information for physicians. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

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Encephalitis diagnosis using metagenomics: application of next generation sequencing for undiagnosed cases.

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