biostudies-literatureHan YZhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China58https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9906844biostudies-literatureUnknown23(1)<h4>Background</h4>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.<h4>Methods</h4>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.<h4>Results</h4>Forty-one studies involving 5668 patients were analyzed.BMC pulmonary medicineBronchoalveolar lavage fluid polymerase chain reaction for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis among high-risk patients: a diagnostic meta-analysis.PMC9906844LY19H01004Li WLai JJiang GYing YHan YGuo AJin ZWu XYan FfalseBronchoalveolar lavage fluid polymerase chain reaction for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis among high-risk patients: a diagnostic meta-analysis.<h4>Background</h4>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.<h4>Methods</h4>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.<h4>Results</h4>Forty-one studies involving 5668 patients were analyzed.2023-01-01T00:00:00Z2023 Feb2025-04-22T18:31:16.237Z2025-04-06T02:28:08.812ZS-EPMC99068443675082810.1186/s12890-023-02343-5