A pediatric patient presented with culture-negative meningitis. Initial diagnostic methods failed to identify the causative agent. Metagenomic sequencing of cerebrospinal fluid successfully identified Trichosporon inkin as the pathogen, leading to appropriate antifungal treatment. This case highlights the challenges in diagnosing rare fungal infections, especially in immunocompromised children, and demonstrates the critical role of advanced molecular diagnostics like metagenomic sequencing in achieving a timely and accurate diagnosis when conventional methods fall short, thereby guiding effective clinical management and improving patient outcomes.
Key note: Metagenomic sequencing is crucial for diagnosing culture-negative central nervous system infections caused by rare pathogens like Trichosporon inkin in pediatric patients.