The clinical value of metagenomic next-generation sequencing in the microbiological diagnosis of skin and soft tissue infections

•Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) was applied to detect pathogens in patients with skin and soft tissue infections.•mNGS detected more rare pathogens, viruses, anaerobes, and multiple pathogen infections more sensitively.•mNGS results directly targeted antibiotic treatment.•The use of mNGS partly benefits clinical outcomes.