# Legionella-induced suppurative cervical lymphadenitis in a child diagnosed by metagenomic next-generation sequencing: a case report

## TL;DR

A child with a rare Legionella infection in the neck lymph nodes was accurately diagnosed using advanced genetic sequencing.

## Contribution

Demonstrates the effectiveness of metagenomic next-generation sequencing in diagnosing rare Legionella infections.

## Key findings

- Metagenomic next-generation sequencing identified Legionella pneumophila in a case of suppurative cervical lymphadenitis.
- Conventional diagnostic methods failed to detect the pathogen, highlighting the limitations of traditional approaches.
- The case underscores the importance of advanced sequencing for rare and challenging infections.

## Abstract

Legionella pneumophila, primarily associated with respiratory infections, rarely causes extrapulmonary disease. Conventional diagnostic methods for Legionella are often limited. Here we report a case of suppurative cervical lymphadenitis caused by L. pneumophila. And we highlight the critical role of mNGS in enabling rapid and accurate pathogen identification, guiding effective targeted therapy for rare and challenging infections.