Clinical usefulness of metagenomic next-generation sequencing for Rickettsia and Coxiella burnetii diagnosis

AbstractRickettsia andCoxiella burnetii are zoonotic tick-borne pathogens that cause febrile illnesses in humans. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) is a new technology used to diagnose infectious diseases. However, clinical experience with applying the test to rickettsioses and Q fever is relatively limited. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the diagnostic performance of mNGS in detectingRickettsia andC. burnetii.  We retrospectively studied patients with rickettsioses or Q fever between August 2021 and July 2022. Peripheral blood mNGS and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were performed for all patients. Clinical data were retrieved for analysis. Thirteen patients were included in this study (eleven confirme d cases and two suspected cases). Signs and symptoms included fever (13, 100%), rash (7, 53.8%), muscle soreness (5, 38.5%), headache (4, 30.8%), skin eschar (3, 23.1%), and disturbance of consciousness (2, 15.4%). In addition, eight patients (61.6%) had thrombocytopenia, ten (76.9%) had liver funct ion impairment, and two (15.4%) had renal function impairment. The results of mNGS revealed seven patients withR. japonica (53.8%), five withC. burneti (38.5%), two withR. heilongjiangensis (15.4%), and one withR. honei (7.7%). PCR results were positive in 11 patients (84.6%). After receiving doxycycline-based treatment, 12 (92.3%) patients returned to a normal temperature within 72  h. All patients were discharged in better health. Therefore, mNGS can help ...
Source: European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases - Category: Microbiology Source Type: research