Application of plasma cell-free metagenomic next-generation sequencing for the identification of Aspergillus fumigatus donor-derived infections among solid organ transplant recipients

A cluster of Aspergillus fumigatus donor-derived infections (DDI) was rapidly diagnosed using plasma metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) among solid organ transplant recipients. The heart recipient, experiencing marginal hemodynamics, underwent an endomyocardial biopsy, which was concerning for a fungal infection on histopathology. Plasma mNGS was performed, identifying A. fumigatus two days prior to conventional diagnostics. This timely diagnosis enabled prompt nephrectomies in the kidney recipients, who survived. This report represents the first published use of mNGS in the diagnosis of Aspergillus fumigatus DDI, highlighting the utility of this novel, underutilized assay for early diagnosis of donor-derived infections.