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Diagnostic performance of interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 for bacterial meningitis: a meta-analysis
1Department of Emergency, West China Hospital, Sichuan University Chengdu 610041, China.
Abstract:
This study aimed to summarize the overall diagnostic performance of interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 in cerebrospinal fluid for bacterial meningitis through meta-analysis due to inconclusive results reported. Literature search was performed in PubMed and Embase to identify eligible studies. Data were retrieved and sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio/negative likelihood ratio (PLR/NLR), and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) were pooled. Summary receiver operating characteristic curve and the area under the curve (AUC) were calculated to evaluate their overall test performances. Thirteen studies were included for present meta-analysis. The summary estimates for interleukin-6 in diagnosing bacterial meningitis were: sensitivity, 0.91 (95% CI 0.81-0.96); specificity, 0.93 (95% CI 0.84-0.97); PLR, 12.38 (95% CI 5.42-28.29); NLR, 0.10 (95% CI 0.04-0.21); DOR, 129.76 (95% CI 41.48-405.88); and AUC 0.97 (95% CI 0.95-0.98). The corresponding summary performance estimates for interleukin-8 were as follows: sensitivity, 0.95 (95% CI 0.71-0.99); specificity, 0.89 (95% CI 0.77-0.95); PLR, 8.50 (95% CI, 3.83-18.86); NLR, 0.06 (95% CI 0.01-0.40); DOR, 154.25 (95% CI 14.56-1634.33); and AUC 0.95 (95% CI 0.93-0.97). Measurements of interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 play a valuable role in diagnosing bacterial meningitis. Nevertheless, their results should be interpreted in parallel with the results of routine tests and clinical symptoms.
Insights
Interleukin-6 and Interleukin-8 show high diagnostic accuracy for bacterial meningitis. These biomarkers, when measured in cerebrospinal fluid, aid in identifying bacterial meningitis cases effectively.
Area of Science:
- Clinical diagnostics
- Biomarker research
- Infectious disease
Background:
- Bacterial meningitis diagnosis can be challenging, with variable accuracy of current methods.
- Inconclusive results from individual studies necessitate a comprehensive performance evaluation.
- Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Interleukin-8 (IL-8) are investigated as potential biomarkers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a meta-analysis summarizing the diagnostic performance of IL-6 and IL-8 in cerebrospinal fluid for bacterial meningitis.
- To determine pooled sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratios, and diagnostic odds ratio for IL-6 and IL-8.
- To evaluate the overall test performance using summary receiver operating characteristic curves and area under the curve (AUC).
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search performed in PubMed and Embase databases.
- Inclusion of thirteen studies for the meta-analysis.
- Data extraction and pooling of diagnostic accuracy metrics including sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and AUC.
Main Results:
- IL-6 demonstrated high diagnostic performance: sensitivity 0.91, specificity 0.93, AUC 0.97.
- IL-8 also showed strong performance: sensitivity 0.95, specificity 0.89, AUC 0.95.
- Both IL-6 and IL-8 exhibited favorable likelihood ratios and high DOR, indicating significant diagnostic value.
Conclusions:
- IL-6 and IL-8 are valuable biomarkers for diagnosing bacterial meningitis.
- Their diagnostic utility is supported by high sensitivity, specificity, and AUC values from this meta-analysis.
- Clinical interpretation of IL-6 and IL-8 results should complement routine tests and clinical symptoms.
