Detection of Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Skin Infection by Next-Generation Sequencing: A Pilot Study.
Metagenomic sequencing detected nontuberculous mycobacterial skin infections far more often than culture.
Detection of Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Skin Infection by Next-Generation Sequencing: A Pilot Study.
Nontuberculous mycobacteria (nontuberculous mycobacteria) skin infections pose significant diagnostic challenges in clinical practice, due to nonspecific clinical/histopathological features and limitations of conventional pathogenic detection methods.
A prospective pilot study at Peking Union Medical College Hospital enrolled 20 patients with cutaneous nontuberculous mycobacteria infection, confirmed by positive skin culture or mNGS.
sequencing found infection in nearly all patients, culture missed most
Among 20 patients (median age 45.5 years), fingers were the most common site affected ( n = 10), followed by forearms ( n = 7), hands ( n = 4), and face ( n = 4).
30% [6/20]) and delivered results faster.
Nineteen patients presented with non-disseminated disease; one immunocompromised patient (GATA2 deficiency) had disseminated M. abscessus infection.
Treatment success was achieved in 17 patients (85%) with tailored antibiotic regimens.
In this pilot study of cutaneous nontuberculous mycobacteria infections, mNGS enabled more rapid diagnosis relative to conventional culture.
Clinical presentation and exposure history correlate with specific nontuberculous mycobacteria species. Integrating mNGS with clinical assessment significantly improves diagnosis and management.