Diagnostic efficiency of metagenomic next-generation sequencing for suspected infection in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipients

IntroductionImmunosuppression predisposes allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) recipients to infection. Prompt and accurate identification of pathogens is crucial to optimize treatment strategies. This multi-center retrospective study aimed to assess the ability of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) to detect causative pathogens in febrile allo-HSCT recipients and examined its concordance with conventional microbiological tests (CMT).MethodsWe performed mNGS and CMT on samples obtained from 153 patients with suspected infection during allo-HSCT. Patients were grouped based on their neutropenic status at the time of sampling.ResultsThe mNGS test was more sensitive than CMT (81.1% vs. 53.6%, P