BALF mNGS data of Treponema denticola

A 58-year-old female with inadequate oral hygiene complained of persistent cough and intermittent hemoptysis for one month. Initially diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia and oral trichomoniasis infection, the administered moxifloxacin and metronidazole proved ineffective in alleviating symptoms. Subsequent mNGS analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid confirmed pneumonia caused by Treponema denticola, prompting the initiation of doxycycline hydrochloride treatment. Follow-up assessments revealed symptom relief and lesion absorption. Pulmonary infection attributable to T. denticola is infrequent and lacks specific clinical manifestations, which make the diagnostic process quite difficult and time-consuming. mNGS is a useful tool for detecting rare pathogen of infectious diseases.