Oral wash PCR for the diagnosis of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in non-HIV immunocompromised hosts: a diagnostic accuracy study

Abstract We assessed the Pneumocystis jirovecii PCR accuracy on non-invasive oropharyngeal wash (OW) specimens for the diagnosis of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) in non-HIV immunocompromised patients. In this retrospective study, 134 patients with suspected PJP undergoing both OW and deep respiratory sampling were included. PJP was defined by composite criteria. OW P. jirovecii PCR showed a sensitivity of 61.5% (95% CI 42.5-77.6) and a specificity of 97.2% (95% CI 92.2–99.1). Positive and negative predictive values were 84.2% and 91.3%, respectively. These results suggest OW P. jirovecii PCR may support non-invasive diagnosis, but cannot be used to exclude PJP.