Work

Metagenomic next-generation sequencing reveals co-infection with Legionella pneumophila and Fusobacterium necrophorum in a patient with severe pneumonia: a case report

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Legionella pneumonia is one of the most severe types of atypical pneumonia, impairing multiple organ systems, posing a threat to life. Diagnosing Legionella pneumonia is challenging due to difficulties in culturing the bacteria and limitations in immunoassay sensitivity and specificity. CASE PRESENTATION: This paper reports a rare case of sepsis caused by combined infection with Legionella pneumophila and Fusobacterium necrophorum, leading to respiratory failure, acute kidney injury, acute liver injury, myocardial damage, and electrolyte disorders. In addition, we systematically reviewed literature on patients with combined Legionella infections, analyzing their clinical features, laboratory results and diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: For pathogens that require prolonged incubation periods and are less sensitive to conventional culturing methods, metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) can be a powerful supplement to pathogen screening and plays a significant role in the auxiliary diagnosis of complex infectious diseases.

Source: BMC Pulmonary Medicine

DOI: 10.1186/s12890-024-03097-4

Authors: Yunqi Pan, Yi Xing, Yanan Lai, Huixing Dong, Huiming Sheng, Weihong Xu

Institutions: Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Tongren Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Legionella and Acanthamoeba research

Subfield: Endocrinology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,890