Meta-genomic next-generation sequencing in the diagnosis of brucellosis: Five cases from a non-endemic area.

ABSTRACT

Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in diagnosis of human brucellosis is comparatively unexplored. This report details five human brucellosis cases diagnosed using mNGS based on Illumina sequencing platform, comprising three females and two males, four with epidemiological exposure. In cases 1 and 2, plasma mNGS results showed one positive and one negative for Brucella melitensis, and subsequent blood cultures were both positive. Cases 3, 4 and 5 involved spinal brucellosis, some with paravertebral abscesses. mNGS from infectious tissue samples successfully detected Brucella, with read counts ranging between 30 and 1314, yet cultures were negative in cases 4 and 5. Following antibiotic and surgical treatments, all patients showed clinical improvement. This report shows mNGS testing enhances the detection sensitivity of brucellosis diagnosis.

What is this summary about? Brucella is a type of bacteria that can infect humans and animals. It causes a disease called brucellosis. Symptoms of brucellosis include fever and fatigue, among others. Meta-genomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) is a tool for sequencing the DNA of bacteria. In this report, we use mNGS to diagnose human brucellosis in five cases.What were the results? Brucella was found in the blood of two infected people, but mNGS found Brucella in only one. Of three people with Brucella infection of the spine, mNGS found Brucella in the infected tissue but Brucella was only cultured in one case. Following antibiotic and surgical treatments, all five patients showed improvement of their symptoms.What do the results of the study mean? mNGS is a relatively rapid and effective diagnostic method that can improve the detection of Brucella in brucellosis.