Diagnostic performance of serum galactomannan and β-D-glucan for invasive aspergillosis in suspected patients: A meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: Serum galactomannan (GM) and β-D-glucan (BG) are known markers of invasive aspergillosis (IA). The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficiency of serum GM and BG as diagnostic markers of symptomatic IA infection and compare the performance of the combined tests with that of either test individually. Methods: A literature search was carried out using PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases to include relevant studies published in English up to May 2023. The quality assessment was performed using Review Manager 5.3 software. A bivariate model was applied to pool diagnostic parameters using Stata 14.0 software. We used Cochrane I 2 index to assess heterogeneity and identify the potential source of heterogeneity by meta-regression. Paired t tests were used to compare the value of GM and BG for IA diagnosis when used in combination or alone. Results: Sixteen studies were eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis. For proven or probable IA, serum GM and BG yielded a pooled sensitivity of 0.53 (95% CI 0.40–0.66) vs 0.72 (95% CI 0.61–0.81) and a pooled specificity of 0.94 (95% CI 0.91–0.97) vs 0.82 (95% CI 0.73–0.88). The area under the curve (AUC) of ROC was 0.90 (95% CI 0.87–0.92) vs 0.83 (95% CI 0.80–0.86) for all studies. The pooled sensitivity and specificity for IA diagnosis by combined GM and BG assays (GM/BG) were 0.84 (95% CI 0.69–0.86) and 0.76 (95% CI 0.69–0.81), respectively. The sensitivity of the combined GM/BG test to diagnose IA was higher than of the GM or BG test alone. Conclusion: Serum GM and BG tests had a relatively high accuracy for IA diagnosis in suspected patients. The diagnostic accuracy of both assays is comparable, and the diagnostic sensitivity is further improved by the combined detection of the 2 markers.