Key facts
- Metagenomic testing analyzes all genetic material in a sample to detect thousands of different pathogens.
- The test identified a drug-resistant bacterial infection in 10-year-old Willow Crowther, leading to a change in her antibiotic treatment.
- Metagenomic testing detected 50 organisms not identified by routine diagnostics at GOSH.
- The technology is being rolled out to approximately 30 intensive care units across the UK.
A new metagenomic test, which sequences all genetic material in a sample, is helping doctors at London's Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) detect hidden and drug-resistant infections in critically ill children. The test can identify bacteria, viruses, and fungi, influencing treatment decisions in about a quarter of cases. This advanced diagnostic method has shown promise in identifying pathogens missed by traditional tests, leading to better patient outcomes. The study, published in The Lancet Microbe, involved 122 children in the pediatric intensive care unit. Metagenomic testing identified approximately 90% of bacteria and viruses and all fungi in samples, and detected 50 organisms missed by routine diagnostics. This technology is now being gradually rolled out to around 30 intensive care units across the UK.