Observational studySpine2025
Pathogenic Detection by Metagenomic Next-generation Sequencing in Spinal Infections.
Observational study in Spine, 2025. 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.
What it found
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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.
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.
Who cites it
12 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Comparative diagnostic performance of metagenomic next-generation sequencing and conventional microbial culture in spinal infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology · 2026Pooled it
- 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 · 2026Review
- From Culture to Sequencing: Evolving Strategies for the Diagnosis of Pediatric Spondylodiscitis.Orthopaedic surgery · 2026Review
- The diagnostic value of metagenomic next-generation sequencing versus traditional microbiological testing in native pyogenic spinal infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis.North American Spine Society journal · 2026Review
- Metagenomic next-generation sequencing for the diagnosis of suspected spinal infections from biopsy samples: a novel biopsy toolkit design and real-life diagnostic value.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 · 2026Article
- Comparative study of targeted next-generation sequencing and traditional pathogen detection methods in lower respiratory tract infections: impact on patient outcomes.Frontiers in microbiology · 2026Article
- Integrating metagenomic next-generation sequencing into a multimodal diagnostic framework for spinal infection: enhancing etiological identification and clinical prediction.Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology · 2026Article
- Review
- Metagenomic NGS reveals determinants of polymicrobial spinal infection pathogenesis.Scientific reports · 2025Article
- Uniportal endoscopic decompression and debridement for infectious diseases of spine with neurological deficits: a retrospective study in China.Asian spine journal · 2025Article
- Metagenomic next-generation sequencing for the clinical identification of spinal infection-associated pathogens.Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology · 2024Article
- Research progress of metagenomic next-generation sequencing in infectious diseases of the spine: a systematic review.Therapeutic advances in infectious diseaseReview
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
7 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
STUDY
designA retrospective, observational study.
objectiveTo evaluate the ability and value of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in detecting pathogens from spinal infections.
backgroundThe pathogenic diagnosis of primary spinal infection is challenging. The widespread application of mNGs in clinical practice makes it particularly useful in detecting rare, emerging, and atypical complex infectious diseases.
methodsFrom January 2019 to December 2023, 120 samples were retrospectively collected from patients suspected of spinal infections and undergoing treatment. Pairwise comparisons between traditional laboratory tests and mNGS were conducted for all cases.
resultsAmong the 120 cases, 95 were diagnosed as spinal infections, while 25 were classified as noninfectious. Microbiological evidence was found in 59 cases, while 36 cases were clinically diagnosed as spinal infections without definitive microbiological evidence. Rare microorganisms such as Aspergillus fumigatus , Taifanglania major , and Coxiella burnetii were detected by mNGS. The positive rate of mNGS was significantly higher at 88.42% compared with microbiological culture (43.16%), P <0.001. At the genus level, mNGS exhibited a consistency rate of 86.44% (51/59) with confirmed microorganisms. MNGS demonstrated very good agreement with clinically confirmed microorganisms at the genus level (κ=0.833). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of mNGS were 86.44%, 92.00%, 96.23%, and 74.19%, respectively.
conclusionsThe mNGS test exhibits rapidity, efficiency, and accuracy, rendering it of immense diagnostic and therapeutic value in the realm of spinal infection diseases.
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Registered trials
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.