Diagnostic Performance of Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Metagenomic Next‑generation Sequencing versus Conventional Microbiological Tests in Immunocompromised and Immunocompetent Patients with Pulmonary Infection

Purpose

Pulmonary infection in immunocompromised patients is challenging to diagnose. This study evaluated the detection performance of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in these patients. Patients and methods: A total of 86 patients with confirmed pulmonary infection (48 immunocompromised, 38 immunocompetent) were retrospectively enrolled. BALF samples were tested by both mNGS and conventional microbiological tests (CMTs). Pathogen detection rates and pathogen spectrum were compared between the two groups.