Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid polymerase chain reaction for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis among high-risk patients: a diagnostic meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays are perceived to facilitate the diagnosis of fungal infections. However, due to lack of standardization, the value of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid PCR in diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) remains unclear.

Methods

We conducted a systematic meta-analysis to evaluate the accuracy of BAL fluid PCR in IPA diagnosis among high-risk patients. All studies involving patients at risk for IPA were included. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios of BAL fluid PCR were summarized for diagnosis of proven/probable IPA, or proven IPA only. Potential heterogeneity was assessed by subgroup analyses and meta-regression.

Results

Forty-one studies involving 5668 patients were analyzed.

SUBMITTER: Han Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9906844 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature