mNGS-based dynamic pathogen monitoring for accurate diagnosis and treatment of severe pneumonia caused by fungal infections

Metagenomic next-generation sequencing(mNGs)has been widely applied to identify pathogens associated with infectious diseases.However,limited studies have explored the use of mNGs-based dynamic pathogen monitoring in intensive care unit patients with severe pneumonia.Here,we present a clinical case of an 86-year-old male patient with severe pneumonia caused by a fungal infection.During the clinical treatment,four mNGS analyses were performed within two consecutive weeks.Various respiratory fungal pathogens,including Candida orthopsilosis,Candida albicans,and Aspergillus fumigatus were detected by mNGS of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF).Based on conventional pathogen identification and clinical symptoms,the patient was diagnosed with severe pneumonia caused by a fungal infection.The abundance of fungal species decreased gradually in response to antifungal and empirical therapies,and the fungal infections were effectively con-trolled.In summary,our results demonstrated that mNGS could effectively identify pathogens in patients with severe pneumonia.Additionally,dynamic pathogen monitoring based on mNGS could assist in the precise diag-nosis of complex infections and may facilitate rapid induction of the most appropriate therapy.

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering on nanomaterials for cancer and pathogens diagnosis

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering(SERS)is a non-invasive spectroscopic technique that provides specific chemical fingerprint information for biomarkers in cancer and pathogen diagnosis.However,the SERS strategies are limited by the non-specific interactions between substrates and co-existing substances in biological matrices and the challenges of obtaining molecular fingerprint information from the complex vibrational spectrum.In recent years,the rapid development of novel substrates with high SERS activity has opened up new opportunities for their applications in cancer and pathogen diagnosis.The aim of this review is to present the recent progress and perspectives of novel SERS-based substrates for cancer and pathogen diagnostic applications.First,we will introduce recently developed SERS-active nanomaterials and discuss the influencing factors of the SERS signals.Second,the advantages of SERS in the diagnosis of cancer and pathogens will be given.Third,we will review the latest breakthroughs in cancer and pathogen detection research with SERS technology,as well as the new opportunities for SERS applications brought about by artificial intelligence(Al)technology.In addition,the novel microfluidic-SERS platforms for cancer and pathogens diagnosis will also be discussed.Finally,we will summarize the challenges and future perspectives of SERS technology in the field of early cancer diagnosis and rapid pathogen detection.It is highly expected that this review could benefit a comprehensive understanding of the research status of the SERS-active nanomaterials and arouse the research enthusiasm for them,leading to accelerated clinical translation of SERS technology in cancer and pathogen diagnosis.