Applying nanopore sequencing in the etiological diagnosis of bloodstream infection

Abstract

Bloodstream infection (BSI) is a systemic infectious disease that can lead to shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation, multiorgan failure, and even death. Blood culture is considered the gold standard for the etiological diagnosis of BSI; however, blood culture is time-consuming and has a low positivity rate, which has limited its utility for early and rapid clinical diagnosis. Nanopore sequencing technology (NST), a third-generation sequencing method, offers rapid detection, real-time single-molecule sequencing, and ultra-long reads. These features enable the prompt detection of pathogens and the analysis of drug-resistant genes and genomic characteristics, thereby optimizing the clinical diagnosis and treatment of BSI. In this article, we summarize the application of NST in the etiological diagnosis of BSI.