Same-Day Metagenomic Test Detects Hidden Infections in 122 Critically Ill Children, Shifting Care in 25% of Cases
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Oct 16
Same-Day Metagenomic Test Detects Hidden Infections in 122 Critically Ill Children, Shifting Care in 25% of Cases
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Oct 16
Summary
Great Ormond Street Hospital used same-day metagenomic testing on respiratory samples from 122 children in intensive care, with Lancet Microbe results showing it uncovered hidden and drug-resistant infections standard tests missed.
The sequencing-based test identifies bacteria, viruses and fungi from a single sample without doctors having to guess what to look for first; it detected about nine in 10 bacteria and viruses and all fungi.
A quarter of cases saw prescribing change — including starting, stopping or switching antibiotics — and the test found 50 organisms not picked up by routine diagnostics.
Willow Crowther, 10, was switched to an effective antibiotic after the test revealed a drug-resistant bacterial infection during a life-threatening pneumonia episode in March.
Around 30 UK intensive care units are gradually adopting the approach, which researchers say could also help spot emerging pathogens with pandemic potential.