SynthesisDigestive diseases and sciences2026
Diagnostic Performance of Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing (mNGS) and Culture in Infected Pancreatic Necrosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Synthesis in Digestive diseases and sciences, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
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.
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
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- Metagenomic landscape of peripancreatic necrotic pus in acute pancreatitis: pathogen ecology, resistance gene profiles, and disease-associated microbial patterns.Frontiers in microbiology · 2026Article
- Efficacy and safety of Busulfan-Fludarabine versus Busulfan-Cyclophosphamide as a conditioning regimen prior to hematopoietic stem cell transplant in hematologic malignancy patients: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and observational studies.Therapeutic advances in hematology · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
20 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundInfected pancreatic necrosis (IPN) is a severe complication of acute pancreatitis, requiring prompt diagnosis. Conventional microbial culture, the current gold standard, has limitations in sensitivity and turnaround time. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) offers rapid, comprehensive pathogen detection, but its diagnostic performance for IPN remains unclear.
methodsWe conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis following PRISMA-DTA guidelines, prospectively registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251008574). PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases were searched from inception to March 2025. Seven studies (313 patients) evaluating mNGS for IPN diagnosis were included, with four providing direct comparisons to culture. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) were calculated using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed using I
resultsIn double-arm analysis, mNGS showed significantly higher sensitivity (0.87, 95% CI: 0.72-0.95) than culture (0.36, 95% CI: 0.23-0.51), with comparable specificity (0.83 for both). The AUC for mNGS (0.92, 95% CI: 0.79-0.94) surpassed that of culture (0.52, 95% CI: 0.27-0.86). Single-arm analysis confirmed mNGS as a reliable standalone test (sensitivity: 0.86; specificity: 0.85; AUC: 0.89). A threshold effect (r = - 0.991) indicated variability in diagnostic criteria across studies.
conclusionsmNGS outperforms culture in diagnosing IPN, offering higher sensitivity and faster results. Its ability to detect diverse pathogens, including fastidious and polymicrobial infections, makes it a valuable tool for early intervention. However, challenges like cost, standardization, and interpretation persist. Future studies should focus on prospective validation and cost-effectiveness to integrate mNGS into routine clinical practice.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
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.