ITS2 gene fungal analysis of ascitic fluid infections in ICU patients using illumina Miseq

Ascites, can lead to fungal infections that increase mortality, particularly in ICU settings, highlighting the need for rapid and accurate diagnosis. Traditional diagnostic methods struggle with sensitivity in detecting fungal pathogens in ascitic fluid. Our study aims to assess the effectiveness of next-generation sequencing (NGS) in identifying specific fungal pathogens in ascitic fluid, intending to improve patient care through precise antifungal therapy. We collected 50 ascitic fluid samples from ICU patients, analyzing them using both standard microbiological methods and NGS for fungal identification. The results revealed that NGS had a higher sensitivity in identifying fungal infections compared to traditional culture methods, with significant findings including the detection of facultatively pathogenic fungi in 19 patients. This suggests that NGS can offer more accurate diagnoses, potentially leading to better patient outcomes.