Metagenomic next-generation sequencing for detection of pathogens in children with hematological diseases complicated with infection

Infection is one of the most common causes of death in children with hematological diseases. Here, we aim to investigate the value of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in the detection of causative pathogens in children with hematological diseases. In this retrospective study, specimens from children with hematological diseases, who were admitted to Sun Yat-Sen University between June 2019 and September 2021, were collected for culture and mNGS. A total of 67 pediatric patients were enrolled, and 96 specimens were collected. The positive rate of mNGS was significantly higher than that of culture (57.2% vs 12.5%, P