Researchers at UCL and Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children (GOSH) have developed a groundbreaking metagenomic test that provides critical information on rare infections, enabling targeted treatments to patients in need. This innovative technique has been hailed as “game-changing” by one patient who had previously been told she would need to lose her eye due to an unidentified infection.
The new test, delivered through the GOSH Metagenomics Service, is a cutting-edge sequencing genomic technique that identifies bacteria and other types of infections directly from patient samples. Unlike traditional testing methods, this untargeted approach can detect all types of infections, making it a vital tool for clinicians to diagnose complex cases.
Professor Judith Breuer’s team has been working tirelessly to refine the service, which was initially developed and piloted at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust (GSTT). The test is now being deployed at up to 30 sites across the UK, including GOSH.
The metagenomics service has already made a significant impact on patient care, as demonstrated by Ellie’s remarkable recovery from a mysterious eye infection. Initially diagnosed with uveitis, her condition worsened despite treatment, leading to monthly infusions and steroid eye drops. However, after undergoing metagenomic sequencing, the infection was identified as Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection that cleared up with antibiotics.
With its UK Accreditation Service (UKAS) accreditation, the GOSH Metagenomics Service is now available for patients across the country to access targeted treatments they desperately need. The team’s collaboration with clinicians and researchers has led to the establishment of a diagnostic standard, ensuring this life-saving test becomes an integral part of clinical pathways.
The metagenomics service has far-reaching potential in critical care and immune responsiveness in central nervous system infections, as demonstrated by nationwide collaborations between UCL and GOSH researchers. The team is working closely with colleagues at GSTT to introduce metagenomics sequencing for respiratory infections, supporting national surveillance of outbreaks and future pandemics.
With continued research investment and collaboration between institutions, this revolutionary test holds the key to improving patient outcomes in rare infection cases.
Source: https://www.miragenews.com/cutting-edge-genomic-technology-saves-womans-1452326