Revolutionary Genomic Test Detects Almost Any Infection in a Single Test

Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) have developed an innovative genomic test capable of rapidly detecting nearly any pathogen in a patient. This breakthrough enables faster diagnoses, allows for quicker targeted treatment, and has the potential to reduce healthcare costs.

The test utilizes a genomic sequencing technique known as Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing (mNGS). Instead of a doctor relying on symptoms to guess the cause of an illness and testing for specific pathogens, mNGS examines a sample for a broad range of potential pathogens all at once and cross-references the findings with a comprehensive database. This allows the identification of viruses, bacteria, fungi, or parasites that may be responsible for the illness.

Proven Effectiveness in Neurological Infections

Over seven years, UCSF researchers led by Professor Charles Chiu tested 4,828 patient samples using the mNGS clinical method. These samples included cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. In their study, published in Nature Medicine, the team reported that the mNGS test accurately identified 86% of neurological infections

Chiu, who has been developing this testing method for nearly a decade, also co-founded Delve Bio, a company that manufactures mNGS test kits, processes samples, and provides results within 48 hours.

This test is especially valuable for diagnosing neurological conditions and central nervous system infections, such as meningitis, which rare pathogens can cause and which can rapidly deteriorate a patient’s condition.

Faster Diagnosis and Treatment for Serious Conditions

mNGS allows doctors to diagnose and initiate treatment for these critical conditions within days, rather than weeks, reducing the need for extended hospital stays and unnecessary treatments.

The mNGS process begins with extracting the patient’s DNA and RNA from a CSF sample. These genetic sequences are then analyzed through a computational pipeline that processes millions of sequences per minute, searching for the genetic signatures of potential pathogens. Delve Bio, in partnership with UCSF, uses a database of over 68,000 pathogens to aid in the identification.

mNGS Can Detect Respiratory Viruses with Pandemic Potential

While mNGS has been shown to effectively diagnose central nervous system infections using CSF, it is also capable of detecting respiratory viruses with pandemic potential, such as SARS-CoV-2 and influenza. This could prove invaluable in identifying early signs of emerging health crises.

Additionally, the researchers have refined the mNGS technique to use respiratory fluids and automated much of the process, which reduced the analysis time from 2-7 days to just 12-24 hours. Therefore, the efficiency of the method has been significantly increased. This method can even detect new virus strains, even in small quantities within a sample.

Chiu and his team are working on expanding the mNGS test to analyze plasma and other body fluids. Currently, the mNGS tests for CSF and respiratory fluids have received the FDA’s breakthrough device designation, with the possibility of review in the coming months.

Read the original article on: New Atlas

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