Application of Different Sampling Methods Combined with Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing to Detect Pathogens in Children with Severe Pneumonia on Mechanical Ventilation

Xiangzhen Nan, Jijie Yu, Yafeng Liang, Pengcheng Lou, Guoquan Pan Department of Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Guoquan Pan, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-13806882183, Email 81801800@163.comObjective: The aim of this study was to explore the value of applying different sampling methods combined with metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) to detect pathogens in children with severe pneumonia on mechanical ventilation.Methods: Forty children with severe pneumonia on mechanical ventilation were selected, and routine endotracheal suctioning and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) sampling methods were performed. The diagnostic efficacy of different sampling methods combined with mNGS versus traditional etiological pathogen detection strategies was compared.Results: The positive rate of mNGS pathogen detection after routine endotracheal suctioning and BALF sampling was higher than that of traditional etiological detection strategies (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the positive rates of pathogen detection by routine endotracheal suctioning + mNGS and BALF + mNGS (P > 0.05).Conclusion: Compared with traditional etiological detection strategies, mNGS is more efficient for diagnosing pathogens. In clinical practice, an appropriate sampling method should be selected for mNGS-based detection according to the condition of the patient. These findings could be of great importance in the diagnosis and treatment of severe pneumonia.Keywords: sampling method, next-generation sequencing, severe pneumonia, metagenomics, mechanical ventilation