Comparative diagnostic performance of plasma microbial cell-free DNA sequencing versus amplicon-based blood next-generation sequencing in suspected bloodstream or endovascular infection: a single-center study

Key Points

• This research aims to evaluate the diagnostic effectiveness of plasma microbial cell-free DNA sequencing compared to amplicon-based NGS for detecting pathogens in bloodstream infections.
• Conducted a single-center study with 10 patients suspected of bloodstream or endovascular infection.
• Utilized plasma microbial cell-free DNA sequencing and amplicon-based NGS for testing.
• Assessed the detection rates of pathogens from both methods.
• Plasma mcfDNA sequencing detected pathogens in eight cases, with seven being clinically significant.
• Amplicon-based NGS yielded negative results for all patients.
• Plasma mcfDNA sequencing demonstrated higher overall sensitivity compared to amplicon testing.