Seth K. Bechis, MD, presented “Point-Counterpoint: Next Generation Sequencing vs. Standard Culture – Next Generation Sequencing” during the 30th Annual Perspectives in Urology: Point-Counterpoint, on March 10, 2023, at Humphreys Half Moon Inn, San Diego, California.
How to cite: Bechis, Seth K. “Point-Counterpoint: Next Generation Sequencing vs. Standard Culture – Next Generation Sequencing.” March 10, 2023. Accessed May 2024. https://grandroundsinurology.com/point-counterpoint-next-generation-sequencing-vs-standard-culture-next-generation-sequencing/
Point-Counterpoint: Next Generation Sequencing vs. Standard Culture – Next Generation Sequencing – Summary
Seth K. Bechis, MD, expresses concerns with standard urine cultures and discusses the efficacy and efficiency of next generation sequencing. Dr. Bechis first examines standard urine cultures, noting their 30%-50% diagnostic error rate. He outlines other shortcomings of standard urine cultures, including their expensive and relatively slow process, inaccurate contamination results, unclear threshold for positive tests, and additional error rates.
Dr. Bechis cites two studies in which researchers discovered inaccuracies in urine culture results for clinically suspected UTI patients and women with dysuria. He then discusses polymerase chain reaction-based (PCR-based) assays and next generation sequencing (NGS). He highlights an advantage of this combination, explaining that it can detect every organism in a sample. Dr. Bechis evaluates PCR-based assays and NGS further and explains their ability to identify both bacteria and fungi.
He supports NGS technology by introducing three examples that compare standard urine cultures to NGS. These examples address UTI patients, cystitis patients, and renal stone patients.
Dr. Bechis highlights the increased detection capabilities of NGS compared to standard urine cultures, noting that NGS can even lead to better treatment and more appropriate antibiotic use. He also explores a pilot study that compared urine cultures to NGS and found that 80%–90% of physicians would have changed their preoperative antibiotics approach based on NGS results. Dr. Bechis completes his discussion by reviewing NGS benefits, advocating for NGS implementation in practice.
This lecture is part of a Point-Counterpoint debate. Its opposing lecture is “Point-Counterpoint: Next Generation Sequencing vs. Standard Culture–Standard Culture.”
About the 30th Annual Perspectives in Urology: Point Counterpoint conference: Presented by Program Chair and Grand Rounds in Urology Editor-in-Chief E. David Crawford, MD, this conference brought together leading experts in urology, medical oncology, and radiation oncology to discuss and debate the latest topics in genitourinary cancers, primarily prostate cancer and bladder cancer. This interactive conference offered topical lectures, pro/con debates, interesting-case presentations, interactive panel discussions, and interactive audience and faculty networking.
