Sepsis and bloodstream infections remain among the most challenging conditions to diagnose and
manage—especially in critically ill and immunocompromised patients. Despite advances in
diagnostics, clinicians are often left waiting for culture results or forced to rely on hypothesis-driven
tests that may miss the true causative pathogen. MetaSeq changes this paradigm.
The Diagnostic Challenge in Sepsis
Globally, sepsis accounts for an estimated 20 million childhood cases and 2.9 million deaths annually, with nearly 85% of sepsis-related deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries. In India alone, sepsis prevalence in ICUs is reported at 56.4%, with 45% of infections being multidrug resistant.
Traditional diagnostic approaches face several limitations:
- Low sensitivity of blood cultures
Delayed turnaround times
- Prior antibiotic exposure leading to false negatives
- Limited panels that detect only suspected pathogens
- When time is critical, these gaps can directly impact outcomes.
What Is MetaSeq?
MetaSeq is a next-generation, cell-free DNA (cfDNA), culture-free metagenomic NGS test designed to detect microbial DNA directly from blood through advanced cfDNA sequencing, without the need for culture.
Powered by NOSCENDO’s DISQVER®, MetaSeq combines a validated reference database with a
proprietary bioinformatics algorithm to deliver precise, clinically actionable pathogen detection
using cfDNA.
MetaSeq: Clinically Relevant Detection—Beyond Assumptions
MetaSeq provides clinically relevant insights into over 1,400 pathogens across all major pathogen
categories—bacteria, fungi, parasites, and DNA viruses—in a single test.
Unlike hypothesis-driven diagnostics, MetaSeq is:
- Unbiased
- Hypothesis-free
- Culture-independent
This allows clinicians to identify pathogens that may be missed by conventional methods, especially in patients already on antimicrobials.
Where MetaSeq Makes a Difference
MetaSeq is ideally suited for suspected or confirmed cases of:
- Bloodstream infections
- Sepsis and septic shock
- Endocarditis
- Meningitis
- Pneumonia
- Osteomyelitis
- Peritonitis and ascites
- Febrile neutropenia
- Fever of unknown origin
Its cfDNA-based approach reflects active, real-time infection, rather than colonization or historical exposure.
How MetaSeq Works?
The MetaSeq workflow is optimized for speed and accuracy:
- Peripheral blood collection (Streck tube)
- Cell-free DNA isolation
- Library preparation
- Rapid next-generation sequencing
- Advanced bioinformatic analysis
- Comprehensive, clinically interpretable report
This culture-free workflow significantly shortens time to actionable results.
Why MetaSeq Is Clinically Important?
The WHO Global Landscape Analysis recognizes DISQVER® as the only clinically approved NGS
platform for diagnosing invasive fungal diseases, highlighting its clinical robustness and leadership
in pathogen detection
With MetaSeq, clinicians can:
- Confidently rule in or rule out bloodstream infections
- Enable earlier, targeted therapy
- Reduce unnecessary broad-spectrum antibiotic use
- Support personalized treatment pathways
- Reduce complications and hospital stay
- Guide therapy in ICU, NICU, and immunocompromised patients
Diagnostic Superiority at a Glance
Compared to conventional blood culture and RT-PCR, MetaSeq:
- Complements diagnostic approaches such as a sepsis AMR panel by detecting 1,400+ pathogens in a single test
- Offers higher sensitivity than blood culture
- Provides hypothesis-free analysis unlike targeted PCR
- Delivers faster turnaround with a culture-free NGS workflow
- Focuses on active infection via cfDNA.
Test Details
- Test Name: MetaSeq (Powered by DISQVER®)
- Sample Type: Peripheral blood (Streck tube)
- Volume: 3 mL (paediatric/neonates) to 10 mL
- Turnaround Time: 5 days
- Pathogens Detected: Bacteria, fungi, parasites, DNA viruses*
*RNA viruses are not detected
Moving from Empiricism to Precision
In an era of rising antimicrobial resistance and complex infections, diagnostics must do more than
confirm suspicion—they must reveal the unexpected.
MetaSeq enables clinicians to move from empiric guesswork to precision-driven infection
management, supporting better decisions when every hour counts.
