A Metagenomic Next-generation Sequencing (mNGS)-Guided Sequential Culture Strategy for Postoperative Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Infection (CLRI): a Retrospective Cohort Study

This retrospective cohort study evaluates a sequential diagnostic strategy for patients with postoperative cruciate ligament reconstruction infection (CLRI). Diagnosing these infections is often difficult because conventional laboratory cultures can easily miss fastidious or slow-growing microorganisms. This study investigates whether using a rapid DNA-based test called metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) to guide and customize subsequent laboratory culture conditions can improve the detection rate of viable, live pathogens. The study includes 50 patients with CLRI and 30 patients with aseptic failure (non-infectious complications). The ultimate goal is to determine if this mNGS-guided modified culture strategy can help doctors identify the exact infection-causing germs more accurately, thereby allowing them to provide targeted, individualized antibiotic and surgical treatments.