ReviewTherapeutic advances in infectious disease
Research progress of metagenomic next-generation sequencing in infectious diseases of the spine: a systematic review.
Review in Therapeutic advances in infectious disease. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
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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.
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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.
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Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing in Brucellar Spondylitis with Discordant Serologic Findings in a Non-Endemic Region: A Case Report and Literature Review.Infection and drug resistance · 2026Article
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Authors and funding
2 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Background: Infectious diseases of the spine (IDS) cause structural destruction and abscess formation, requiring precise early diagnosis. While conventional culture methods show limited sensitivity and slow turnaround, metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) offers a promising alternative with its broader pathogen spectrum, rapid turnaround time, high detection rate, and sensitivity, showing significant advantages in the diagnosis of IDS. Objectives: This systematic review aims to synthesize the current evidence on the advantages and clinical utility of mNGS in diagnosing and managing IDS, focusing on pyogenic and granulomatous spinal infections. Design: The systematic review conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Data sources and methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed across nine electronic databases (including PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase) from 2010 to April 2025. Studies reporting on mNGS for pathogen detection in patients with suspected or confirmed spinal infections were included. The quality of included observational studies was assessed using the STROBE checklist. Data on detection spectrum, rate, sensitivity, turnaround time, and clinical impact were extracted and synthesized narratively due to high heterogeneity. Results: Twenty-nine studies (25 retrospective studies and 4 case reports) from China were included. mNGS demonstrated a significantly broader detection spectrum, identifying common pathogens (e.g., Conclusion: mNGS represents a powerful diagnostic tool for IDS, offering broader detection spectrum, higher detection rate, faster turnaround time, and greater sensitivity compared to conventional methods. This enables more targeted antimicrobial therapy and improves clinical management. Challenges including high costs and difficulty in distinguishing colonization from infection remain. Future efforts should focus on technical optimization, workflow automation, protocol standardization, and outcome validation in larger prospective studies. Trial registration: CRD420251170912.
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