Identifying Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria in TB-Negative Specimens using targeted next generation sequencing (tNGS)

This study explores a novel diagnostic approach to identify Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) using the Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra assay's rpoB amplicon signals. In specimens that tested negative for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), we utilized targeted next-generation sequencing (tNGS) via the Genoscreen Deeplex Myc-TB kit on an Illumina MiniSeq platform to characterize the NTM species present. The goal of this research is to demonstrate how existing TB diagnostic infrastructure can be leveraged to improve the detection and identification of NTM in clinical settings.本研究探索了一种全新的诊断策略，借助Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra检测试剂盒的rpoB扩增子信号，实现非结核分枝杆菌（Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria，NTM）的识别。针对结核分枝杆菌（Mycobacterium tuberculosis，MTB）检测结果为阴性的临床标本，本研究依托Illumina MiniSeq测序平台，采用Genoscreen Deeplex Myc-TB试剂盒开展靶向二代测序（targeted next-generation sequencing，tNGS），对样本中携带的NTM菌种进行鉴定。本研究旨在验证如何充分利用现有结核病诊断基础设施，以提升临床场景中非结核分枝杆菌的检测与鉴定效能。