Evaluation of a mNGS Workflow for Infection Diagnosis Using Oxford Nanopore Sequencing.

This is a laboratory evaluation of a new testing methodology for microbiological diagnosis, whereby participant samples received as part of routine care will be divided between the standard diagnostic pathway and this new pathway: metagenomic next generation sequencing (mNGS). Results obtained from the mNGS pathway will be compared against the standard diagnostic pathway in terms of sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and clinical impact. The samples will be identified at Wellington Southern Community Laboratories (WSCL), which provides laboratory services for Capital and Coast District Health Board, and forwarded to the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) to undergo mNGS testing.