[Metagenomic next - generation sequencing technology and its application in diagnosis of Pneumocystis jirovecii infection: a review].

Pneumocystis jirovecii is an opportunistic fungal pathogen causing fatal Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) among immunocompromised patients. Conventional pathogen detection Methods have limitations, which hinders early diagnosis and treatment of PJP, resulting in misdiagnosis and underdiagnosis, and high mortality rates. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS), which is high in sensitivity and specificity for pathogen detection, enables accurate detection of P. jirovecii and P. jirovecii co-infection with other pathogens, which facilitates timely diagnosis and treatment of PJP. This review summarizes the advances in mNGS technology and its application in diagnosis of PJP, highlighting its critical clinical value in improving diagnostic effectiveness, guiding clinical therapy, and preventing nosocomial transmission of PJP.