{"id":3597,"date":"2025-04-29T23:06:31","date_gmt":"2025-04-29T23:06:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ventil.rs\/blog\/health\/metagenomics-test-saves-womans-sight-after-mystery-infection\/"},"modified":"2025-04-29T23:06:31","modified_gmt":"2025-04-29T23:06:31","slug":"metagenomics-test-saves-womans-sight-after-mystery-infection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ventil.rs\/blog\/health\/metagenomics-test-saves-womans-sight-after-mystery-infection\/","title":{"rendered":"Metagenomics test saves woman&#8217;s sight after mystery infection"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div xmlns:default=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" id=\"\">\n<div data-component=\"byline-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 dEGcKf\">\n<div data-testid=\"byline-new\" class=\"sc-801dd632-0 eSlECZ\">\n<div data-testid=\"byline-new-contributors\" class=\"sc-801dd632-12 jSIeFi\">\n<div class=\"sc-801dd632-5 kRoBHa\">\n<div><span class=\"sc-801dd632-7 lasLGY\">Fergus Walsh<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Medical editor<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 gyQxwn\">\n<div data-testid=\"hero-image\" class=\"sc-4abb68ca-1 eOgpjw\"><img decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/77bf\/live\/cb7e4350-2501-11f0-b324-e10b0a7b708d.jpg.webp 240w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/77bf\/live\/cb7e4350-2501-11f0-b324-e10b0a7b708d.jpg.webp 320w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/77bf\/live\/cb7e4350-2501-11f0-b324-e10b0a7b708d.jpg.webp 480w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/640\/cpsprodpb\/77bf\/live\/cb7e4350-2501-11f0-b324-e10b0a7b708d.jpg.webp 640w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/77bf\/live\/cb7e4350-2501-11f0-b324-e10b0a7b708d.jpg.webp 800w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1024\/cpsprodpb\/77bf\/live\/cb7e4350-2501-11f0-b324-e10b0a7b708d.jpg.webp 1024w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1536\/cpsprodpb\/77bf\/live\/cb7e4350-2501-11f0-b324-e10b0a7b708d.jpg.webp 1536w\" src=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/77bf\/live\/cb7e4350-2501-11f0-b324-e10b0a7b708d.jpg.webp\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"BBC Dr Ellie Irwin faces the camera, smiling, with long blond hair in a sunny outdoor place with blurred trees in the background\" class=\"sc-4abb68ca-0 ldLcJe\"\/><span class=\"sc-4abb68ca-2 kkAKIJ\">BBC<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><figcaption class=\"sc-1b6a1475-0 feHvAW\">Dr Ellie Irwin&#8217;s sight has been saved after a test pinpointed the cause of her long-lasting eye inflammation<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 dEGcKf\">\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 hxuGS\">A 29-year-old doctor from Bristol has had her eyesight saved after a &#8220;game-changing&#8221; test identified a mystery infection that had plagued her health for five years.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 hxuGS\">Ellie Irwin suffered persistent inflammation in her right eye resulting in blurred vision and underwent intensive treatment to no avail. At one point she even considered having her eye removed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 hxuGS\">It was only after Ellie was offered a &#8220;last resort&#8221; analysis called metagenomics, that she was diagnosed with a rare bacterial infection which was cured with antibiotics.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 hxuGS\">&#8220;It&#8217;s been transformative,&#8221; Ellie told the BBC. &#8220;I feel so fortunate.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 hxuGS\">Professor Carlos Pavesio, consultant ophthalmologist at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, says Ellie&#8217;s case is a &#8220;breakthrough in the diagnosis of infectious diseases&#8221;. <\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 hxuGS\">&#8220;There are many patients we treat with chronic infections for years, but despite multiple tests we cannot identify the bug responsible,&#8221; he says.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 dEGcKf\">\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 hxuGS\">In 2019, while still at medical school, Ellie began suffering from inflammation in her right eye. All tests for infection came back negative and it was assumed she had an autoimmune condition.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 hxuGS\">Ellie was prescribed steroid eye drops and immunosuppressants, some of which needed to be given by intravenous infusion.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 hxuGS\">&#8220;It was completely dominating my life,&#8221; Ellie says. &#8220;I needed eye drops every single hour and it was difficult to balance that alongside starting work as a junior doctor. My vision was really variable, and I would have some bad days.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 hxuGS\">&#8220;I was on so much medication and going to so many appointments, yet I didn&#8217;t feel I was getting any better.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 hxuGS\">The treatment and inflammation led to Ellie developing a cataract that had to be surgically removed, just after she graduated from medical school.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 hxuGS\">Ellie says she eventually reached &#8220;breaking point&#8221;, and even began considering having her affected eye removed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 hxuGS\">&#8220;Whilst losing sight in one eye is terrifying,&#8221; she says, &#8220;my biggest fear was that it might spread to my left eye.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<figure>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 hoQmHM\">\n<div data-testid=\"image\" class=\"sc-4abb68ca-1 eOgpjw\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.files.bbci.co.uk\/bbcdotcom\/web\/20250409-091508-0ef9b7676-web-2.19.1-12\/grey-placeholder.png\" class=\"sc-4abb68ca-0 itgEAh hide-when-no-script\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/67d6\/live\/46e265d0-2502-11f0-b324-e10b0a7b708d.jpg.webp 240w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/67d6\/live\/46e265d0-2502-11f0-b324-e10b0a7b708d.jpg.webp 320w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/67d6\/live\/46e265d0-2502-11f0-b324-e10b0a7b708d.jpg.webp 480w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/640\/cpsprodpb\/67d6\/live\/46e265d0-2502-11f0-b324-e10b0a7b708d.jpg.webp 640w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/67d6\/live\/46e265d0-2502-11f0-b324-e10b0a7b708d.jpg.webp 800w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1024\/cpsprodpb\/67d6\/live\/46e265d0-2502-11f0-b324-e10b0a7b708d.jpg.webp 1024w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1536\/cpsprodpb\/67d6\/live\/46e265d0-2502-11f0-b324-e10b0a7b708d.jpg.webp 1536w\" src=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/67d6\/live\/46e265d0-2502-11f0-b324-e10b0a7b708d.jpg.webp\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Ellie Irwin A close-up of Ellie's right eye which shows a cataract - a cloudy light blue circle in the centre of the eye - which causes blurry vision\" class=\"sc-4abb68ca-0 ldLcJe\"\/><span class=\"sc-4abb68ca-2 kkAKIJ\">Ellie Irwin<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><figcaption class=\"sc-1b6a1475-0 feHvAW\">Ellie&#8217;s eye developed a cataract that had to be removed<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 dEGcKf\">\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 hxuGS\">It was one of Ellie&#8217;s doctors at Southmead Hospital in Bristol who suggested metagenomics &#8211; a last resort test not generally available to patients and only used where standard diagnostic tools have failed to identify or rule out infection.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 hxuGS\">Metagenomics technology uses cutting-edge genomic sequencing, which can identify all bacteria, fungi or parasites present in a sample by comparing them against a database of millions of pathogens.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 hxuGS\">A team at Moorfields Eye Hospital arranged for a sample of fluid to be taken from inside Ellie&#8217;s eye and sent to the metagenomics labs at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) &#8211; the only lab in the UK officially recognised to carry out these diagnostic tests for patients, and one of only a few in the world.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 dEGcKf\">\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 hxuGS\">Currently, the standard method for detecting bacterial infections is by trying to grow a sample of it in a Petri dish.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 hxuGS\">For viruses, the most common diagnostic tool is a PCR test. These will be familiar to many from the pandemic, when millions sent off swabs in the post to confirm whether they had Covid.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 hxuGS\">However, Dr Julianne Brown, principal clinical scientist at the GOSH metagenomics service, says PCR has some drawbacks.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 hxuGS\">&#8220;The trouble with PCR is that you have to think of the viruses that might be causing an infection and do a separate test for each and every one,&#8221; she says. &#8220;So if you&#8217;ve got an infection with something that&#8217;s unexpected, rare or not previously known, you won&#8217;t find it.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 hxuGS\">Dr Brown says metagenomics is &#8220;an enormous step up &#8211; it&#8217;s a complete game-changer&#8221;.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<figure>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 hoQmHM\">\n<div data-testid=\"image\" class=\"sc-4abb68ca-1 eOgpjw\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.files.bbci.co.uk\/bbcdotcom\/web\/20250409-091508-0ef9b7676-web-2.19.1-12\/grey-placeholder.png\" class=\"sc-4abb68ca-0 itgEAh hide-when-no-script\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/1bc1\/live\/87fecb30-2502-11f0-b324-e10b0a7b708d.jpg.webp 240w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/1bc1\/live\/87fecb30-2502-11f0-b324-e10b0a7b708d.jpg.webp 320w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/1bc1\/live\/87fecb30-2502-11f0-b324-e10b0a7b708d.jpg.webp 480w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/640\/cpsprodpb\/1bc1\/live\/87fecb30-2502-11f0-b324-e10b0a7b708d.jpg.webp 640w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/1bc1\/live\/87fecb30-2502-11f0-b324-e10b0a7b708d.jpg.webp 800w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1024\/cpsprodpb\/1bc1\/live\/87fecb30-2502-11f0-b324-e10b0a7b708d.jpg.webp 1024w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1536\/cpsprodpb\/1bc1\/live\/87fecb30-2502-11f0-b324-e10b0a7b708d.jpg.webp 1536w\" src=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/1bc1\/live\/87fecb30-2502-11f0-b324-e10b0a7b708d.jpg.webp\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Ellie Irwin Ellie and friends swimming in the Amazon river, with their heads above the surface and the sun rising behind the trees in the background.\" class=\"sc-4abb68ca-0 ldLcJe\"\/><span class=\"sc-4abb68ca-2 kkAKIJ\">Ellie Irwin<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><figcaption class=\"sc-1b6a1475-0 feHvAW\">Doctors believe Ellie&#8217;s eye condition was caused by an infection she caught while swimming in the Amazon<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 dEGcKf\">\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 hxuGS\">In Ellie&#8217;s case, metagenomics diagnosed a rare strain of the bacterial infection leptospirosis found in South America.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 hxuGS\">It is now presumed Ellie picked up the bug swimming in the Amazon river in 2018, while on a trip to Ecuador and Colombia.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 hxuGS\">Ellie says it was an emotional moment when she was given the results of the test.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 hxuGS\">&#8220;I broke down &#8211; I just had to cry. I never imagined that it would come back positive and be for something that was treatable,&#8221; she says. <\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 hxuGS\">&#8220;I was given three weeks of antibiotics and within days my vision was clearer and the inflammation subsided.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 dEGcKf\">\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 hxuGS\">A single metagenomics test costs around \u00a31,300, which is far more than standard diagnostics. However, as the technology is developed that price is likely to fall rapidly.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 hxuGS\">Virologist Professor Judy Breuer, who has been developing metagenomics at GOSH and University College London (UCL) for more than a decade, says her team currently receives three or four samples a week from hospitals around the UK for metagenomic testing in addition to those it carries out on its own patients.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 hxuGS\">These are often samples from parts of the body that are normally sterile sites, where bacteria are not usually found such as the brain, central nervous system, liver and eye.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 hxuGS\">&#8220;In the future, we think metagenomics will become a first line test and be able to diagnose infection in any sample, probably within the same day,&#8221; she says.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 hxuGS\">It&#8217;s also likely to become faster, cheaper and easier to do, explains Dr Brown, meaning it will become available to more patients rather than just a small number who are severely unwell.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<figure>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 hoQmHM\">\n<div data-testid=\"image\" class=\"sc-4abb68ca-1 eOgpjw\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.files.bbci.co.uk\/bbcdotcom\/web\/20250409-091508-0ef9b7676-web-2.19.1-12\/grey-placeholder.png\" class=\"sc-4abb68ca-0 itgEAh hide-when-no-script\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/b921\/live\/c3275520-2533-11f0-a39d-47abdebb33a4.jpg.webp 240w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/b921\/live\/c3275520-2533-11f0-a39d-47abdebb33a4.jpg.webp 320w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/b921\/live\/c3275520-2533-11f0-a39d-47abdebb33a4.jpg.webp 480w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/640\/cpsprodpb\/b921\/live\/c3275520-2533-11f0-a39d-47abdebb33a4.jpg.webp 640w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/b921\/live\/c3275520-2533-11f0-a39d-47abdebb33a4.jpg.webp 800w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1024\/cpsprodpb\/b921\/live\/c3275520-2533-11f0-a39d-47abdebb33a4.jpg.webp 1024w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1536\/cpsprodpb\/b921\/live\/c3275520-2533-11f0-a39d-47abdebb33a4.jpg.webp 1536w\" src=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/b921\/live\/c3275520-2533-11f0-a39d-47abdebb33a4.jpg.webp\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Rosie Davison Photography Ellie and her husband stand together in their wedding outfits on their wedding day, holding hands and staring into each other's eyes\" class=\"sc-4abb68ca-0 ldLcJe\"\/><span class=\"sc-4abb68ca-2 kkAKIJ\">Rosie Davison Photography<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><figcaption class=\"sc-1b6a1475-0 feHvAW\">Ellie got married in March after her eyesight problems had been resolved<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 dEGcKf\">\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 hxuGS\">Resolving her eye problems has allowed Ellie to concentrate on her training as a GP and arrange her wedding. <\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 hxuGS\">Ellie was married in Newcastle on 29 March, the same day the city celebrated   Newcastle United&#8217;s win in the Carabao Cup.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 hxuGS\">She says: &#8220;We got a shout-out from Ant and Dec and went up on a scissor lift above the Newcastle United fans, which was incredible.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 hxuGS\">Prof Breuer says she is thrilled with how the treatment is changing lives.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 hxuGS\">&#8220;It is amazing to see the impact it is having for patients like Ellie.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<figure>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 dFZIgd\">\n<div data-testid=\"image\" class=\"sc-4abb68ca-1 eOgpjw\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.files.bbci.co.uk\/bbcdotcom\/web\/20250409-091508-0ef9b7676-web-2.19.1-12\/grey-placeholder.png\" class=\"sc-4abb68ca-0 itgEAh hide-when-no-script\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/1e89\/live\/9b237310-2592-11f0-8f57-b7237f6a66e6.png.webp 240w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/1e89\/live\/9b237310-2592-11f0-8f57-b7237f6a66e6.png.webp 320w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/1e89\/live\/9b237310-2592-11f0-8f57-b7237f6a66e6.png.webp 480w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/640\/cpsprodpb\/1e89\/live\/9b237310-2592-11f0-8f57-b7237f6a66e6.png.webp 640w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/1e89\/live\/9b237310-2592-11f0-8f57-b7237f6a66e6.png.webp 800w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1024\/cpsprodpb\/1e89\/live\/9b237310-2592-11f0-8f57-b7237f6a66e6.png.webp 1024w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1536\/cpsprodpb\/1e89\/live\/9b237310-2592-11f0-8f57-b7237f6a66e6.png.webp 1536w\" src=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/1e89\/live\/9b237310-2592-11f0-8f57-b7237f6a66e6.png.webp\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\" A thin, grey banner promoting the News Daily newsletter. On the right, there is a graphic of an orange sphere with two concentric crescent shapes around it in a red-orange gradient, like a sound wave. The banner reads: &quot;The latest news in your inbox first thing.\u201d\" class=\"sc-4abb68ca-0 ldLcJe\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 dEGcKf\">\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 hxuGS\">Get our flagship newsletter with all the headlines you need to start the day. <a target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/newsletters\/zhp28xs\" class=\"sc-f9178328-0 bGFWdi\">Sign up here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/articles\/czx45vze0vyo\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Fergus Walsh Medical editor BBC Dr Ellie Irwin&#8217;s sight has been saved after a test pinpointed the cause of her long-lasting eye inflammation A 29-year-old doctor from Bristol has had her eyesight saved after a &#8220;game-changing&#8221; test identified a mystery infection that had plagued her health for five years. Ellie Irwin suffered persistent inflammation in&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"more-link-wrap\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ventil.rs\/blog\/health\/metagenomics-test-saves-womans-sight-after-mystery-infection\/\" class=\"more-link\">Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &ldquo;Metagenomics test saves woman&#8217;s sight after mystery infection&rdquo;<\/span> &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3598,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1024\/branded_news\/77bf\/live\/cb7e4350-2501-11f0-b324-e10b0a7b708d.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3597","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v17.8 (Yoast SEO v22.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Metagenomics test saves woman&#039;s sight after mystery infection - Breaking News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/ventil.rs\/blog\/health\/metagenomics-test-saves-womans-sight-after-mystery-infection\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Metagenomics test saves woman&#039;s sight after mystery infection\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Fergus Walsh Medical editor BBC Dr Ellie Irwin&#8217;s sight has been saved after a test pinpointed the cause of her long-lasting eye inflammation A 29-year-old doctor from Bristol has had her eyesight saved after a &#8220;game-changing&#8221; test identified a mystery infection that had plagued her health for five years. 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