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Table 2 Sensitivity and specificity of Pj PCR and betaglucan in serum

From: Serum-based diagnosis of Pneumocystis pneumonia by detection of Pneumocystis jirovecii DNA and 1,3-β-D-glucan in HIV-infected patients: a retrospective case control study

Index tests in serum

Sensitivity (%) (95% CI)

Specificity (%) (95% CI)

Patients with PCP

HIV-infected control patients

Blood donors

n = 26

n = 21

n = 18

Pj PCR positive

100 (87–100)

71 (50–86)

100 (87–100)

Pj PCR with Ct ≤34a

96 (79–100)

90 (71–98)

100 (82–100)

BG ≥80 pg/mlb

96 (80–100)

71 (50–86)

100 (82–100)

BG ≥200 pg/mlb

92 (75–99)

86 (65–95)

100 (82–100)

BG ≥400 pg/mlb

88 (70–96)

90 (71–98)

100 (82–100)

Pj PCR positive and BG ≥200 pg/mlb

92 (75–99)

90 (71–98)

100 (82–100)

  1. Pj Pneumocystis jirovecii, PCP Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia, CI confidence interval, BG 1,3-ß-D-glucan
  2. aThree PCP patients whose serum samples had been analysed after 1:2 dilution were excluded
  3. bOne PCP patient whose serum sample was not analyzed for BG due to insufficient volume of serum was excluded