Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39050835›Full record

ArticleInfection and drug resistance2024

Spinal Infections? mNGS Combined with Microculture and Pathology for Answers.

Jiayi Chen, Yonghong Liu, Shengsheng Huang, Zixiang Pang, Qian Wei, Yuzhen Liu, Hongyuan Qin, Yuanming Chen

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Infection and drug resistance, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 12 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
12citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

12 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
  3. The role of metagenomic next-generation sequencing in spinal infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis.European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society · 2026
    Review
  4. Clinical utility of metagenomic next-generation sequencing in diagnosing spinal infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis.European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society · 2026
    Review
  5. Article
  6. Article
  7. Spinal infections.Frontiers in neuroscience · 2026
    Review
  8. Article
  9. Review
  10. Article
  11. Article
  12. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Jiayi Chen *Department of Spinal Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, People's Republic of China.ORCID 0009-0009-8164-5743
Yonghong Liu *Department of Preventive Health Care, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, People's Republic of China.
Shengsheng HuangDepartment of Spinal Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, People's Republic of China.
Zixiang PangDepartment of Spinal Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, People's Republic of China.
Qian WeiDepartment of Spinal Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, People's Republic of China.
Yuzhen LiuDepartment of Spinal Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, People's Republic of China.
Hongyuan QinDepartment of Spinal Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, People's Republic of China.
Yuanming ChenDepartment of Spinal Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, People's Republic of China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction: This study evaluates the efficacy of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in diagnosing spinal infections and developing therapeutic regimens that combine mNGS, microbiological cultures, and pathological investigations. Methods: Data were collected from 108 patients with suspected spinal infections between January 2022 and December 2023. Lesion tissues were obtained via C-arm assisted puncture or open surgery for mNGS, conventional microbiological culture, and pathological analysis. Personalized antimicrobial therapies were tailored based on these findings, with follow-up evaluations 7 days postoperatively. The sensitivity and specificity of mNGS were assessed, along with its impact on treatment and prognosis. Results: mNGS showed a significantly higher positive detection rate (61.20%) compared to conventional microbiological culture (30.80%) and PCT (28%). mNGS demonstrated greater sensitivity (79.41%) and negative predictive value (63.16%) than cultures (25% and 22.58%, respectively), with no significant difference in specificity and positive predictive value. Seven days post-surgery, a significant reduction in neutrophil percentage (NEUT%) was observed, though decreases in white blood cell count (WBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were not statistically significant. At the last follow-up, significant improved in Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores were noted. Conclusion: mNGS outperforms traditional microbiological culture in pathogen detection, especially for rare and critical pathogens. Treatment protocols combining mNGS, microbiological cultures, and pathological examinations are effective and provide valuable clinical insights for treating spinal infections.

Indexed as

metagenomic next-generation sequencingsensitivityspecificity treatmentspinal infection

Identifiers

PMID39050835
PMCPMC11268561

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.