Learn more about research in respiratory metagenomics through publications from across the network. Here, we share the studies that demonstrate how our work is transforming patient care:
Most clinical metagenomic studies do not provide rapid results, detect pathogens from all microbial kingdoms, or measure clinical impacts. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility, performance, and clinical impacts of arapid pan-microbial respiratory metagenomic service for patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs).
Clinical metagenomics studies have rarely reported rapid results with clinical impact, or deployment of protocols to centres beyond where they were developed. We describe the implementation of a previously validated rapid pan-microbial respiratory metagenomics service to paediatric intensive care, reporting modifications, feasibility, performance, clinical impact, and staff views.
This pilot study illustrates the potential of Respiratory Metagenomics testing to provide benefits for antimicrobial treatment, infection control, and public health when provided in a real-world critical care setting. Multicenter studies are now required to inform future translation into routine service.
Clinical metagenomics involves the genomic sequencing of all microorganisms in clinical samples ideally after depletion of human DNA to increase sensitivity and reduce turnaround times. Current human DNA depletion methods preferentially preserve either DNA or RNA containing microbes, but not both simultaneously. Here we describe and present data using a practical and rapid mechanical host-depletion method allowing simultaneous detection of RNA and DNA microorganisms linked with nanopore sequencing.
We compared our current respiratory diagnostic metagenomics assay with another nanopore dual-arm workflow. Results very similar across protocols, likely reflecting that pre-analytical factors, extraction platform and library prep are the main drivers of microbial recovery.