Comparison of Molecular Methods With Culture for Identifying Microbial Etiology in Pediatric Empyema Thoracis: A Systematic Review of Diagnostic Test Accuracy.
Indian PediatrOct 2, 2026 (epub)
Abhishek Purohit, Pallab Chatterjee, Hema Mittal et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
In 30 seconds
This systematic review evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of molecular methods versus culture for identifying microbial etiology in pediatric empyema thoracis. Analyzing data from eight studies, the pooled sensitivity of PCR in pleural fluid was 0.98, while specificity was 0.49. The study highlights the need for careful consideration of diagnostic methods beyond accuracy alone.
Key findings
- Pooled sensitivity of PCR in pleural fluid was 0.98 (95% CrI 0.91-0.99).
- Pooled specificity of PCR was 0.49 (95% CrI 0.19-0.75).
- The diagnostic odds ratio for PCR was 38.23 (95% CrI 5.66-231.81).
- Positive predictive value ranged from 0.11 to 1.0.
Why it matters
Understanding the diagnostic accuracy of PCR compared to culture can inform clinicians on the best approach to identify microbial causes of empyema, potentially improving treatment strategies and antimicrobial stewardship.