Delve Bio, a pioneer in metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) for infectious diseases, announced data presented at IDWeek 2025 in Atlanta, Ga., by researchers from Columbia University Irving Medical Center show metagenomic sequencing that detects both RNA and DNA pathogens, available through Delve Detect, has the potential to streamline clinical workups and lower the cost of diagnosing meningitis and encephalitis (M/E).

“Our preliminary analysis of patients has identified that if mNGS had been used earlier in the clinical workup, patients with both infectious and autoimmune M/E could have been spared hundreds of tests and months of waiting for a complete diagnosis”

“Due to its ability to detect a wide array of potential pathogens early in the course of disease, mNGS has emerged as an important tool in the armamentarium for the diagnosis of meningitis and encephalitis by reducing the need for multiple tests and procedures,” said Kiran Thakur, Herbert Irving associate professor of neurology, and director, program in neuroinfectious diseases, Department of Neurology at Columbia University Medical Center-New York Presbyterian Hospital. “Our preliminary analysis of patients has identified that if mNGS had been used earlier in the clinical workup, patients with both infectious and autoimmune M/E could have been spared hundreds of tests and months of waiting for a complete diagnosis. Further studies are needed in the real world to identify implementation strategies for mNGS.”

Health Technology Insights: Iris Telehealth Appoints Healthcare Veteran David Bartley as Its First CSO

The analysis used a modeling framework that included more than 80 patients to assess the potential impact of early use of mNGS testing on clinical decision-making. Researchers found that use of an mNGS test that detected both RNA and DNA pathogens within 48 hours after the first lumbar puncture could have saved over 280 microbiological tests. Among patients with viral infections, early use of mNGS could have reduced over 90 microbiological tests and over 150 days to diagnosis. Notably, in the cohort of seven patients with fungal infections, diagnosis would have been made earlier by over 61 days. The study will be presented in poster P-122, “Evaluating the Clinical Impact of Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing in CNS Infections: Optimizing Diagnostic Pathways and Resource Utilization,” on Monday, October 20.

“Study after study has shown the Delve Detect platform increases diagnostic yield by over 20 percent and enables clinicians to identify the cause of serious central nervous system infections early, quickly, and completely by identifying bacterial, viral, fungal and/or parasitic infections with a single sample in just 48 hours,” said Brad Murray, chief executive officer of Delve Bio. “This speed and comprehensiveness can eliminate protracted clinical workups and reduce the treatment and testing burden that challenges both patients and physicians. We’re pleased to be at IDWeek talking about how mNGS can continue to improve infectious disease diagnosis and patient care.”

Delve Bio’s presence at IDWeek 2025 includes additional scientific presentations and education sessions, including:

  • Charles Chiu, M.D., Ph.D., Delve Bio co-founder, UCSF professor of laboratory medicine and infectious diseases, and director of the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, will host a Learning Lounge, “Metagenomic Next Generation Sequencing for the Diagnosis of CNS Infections,” on Tuesday, Oct. 21 at 1:15 p.m. in the exhibit hall.
  • A team from Children’s Hospital of Colorado will present poster P-2004, “Performance of a Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing Assay for Cerebrospinal Fluid Compared to Conventional Testing in Pediatric Patients,” highlighting the clinical utility of mNGS in conjunction with conventional microbiological testing for the diagnosis of suspected central nervous system (CNS) infections in children.
  • Delve Bio researchers will present poster P-1784, “Analytical Validation of a Metagenomic Next Generation Sequencing (mNGS) Test for Agnostic Detection of Microbial Organisms in CNS Infections,” showing a 86.1%/97.5% PPV/NPV that demonstrates Delve Detect as a sensitive and specific test of RNA and DNA pathogens from a single CSF sample.

Health Technology Insights: Smart Healthcare Alliance, Zscaler Launch Zero Trust Model

To participate in our interviews, please write to our HealthTech Media Room at sudipto@intentamplify.com