Metagenomic testing sequences essentially all of the DNA and RNA in a clinical sample, then matches those genetic codes against large databases so doctors can identify bacteria, viruses, and other microbes—including ones not covered by routine single-pathogen tests. Hospitals increasingly use it for hard-to-diagnose infections such as unexplained meningitis or sepsis, and faster sequencers plus AI analysis can shrink turnaround from days to hours. A London hospital pilot found metagenomics detected pathogens missed by standard tests about 30% of the time.
Source: BBC Future — How metagenomics can identify almost every infection