الملخص

Accurate and timely diagnosis of bacterial infections is essential for effective treatment and disease control. Molecular and serological diagnostic methods are widely used, but their comparative performance across various bacterial infections remains unclear. Objective: To systematically compare the diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and clinical utility of molecular versus serological methods for bacterial infections through a meta-analysis. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases to identify studies evaluating molecular (e.g., PCR, NGS) and serological (e.g., ELISA, agglutination) diagnostic techniques. Data on sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratios were extracted and pooled using a bivariate random-effects model. Subgroup analyses were performed by infection type and sample source. Results: Thirty-five studies were included. Molecular methods demonstrated higher pooled sensitivity (89%; 95% CI: 85–92) and specificity (95%; 92–97) compared to serological methods (sensitivity 78%; 72–83, specificity 89%; 85–92). Molecular diagnostics showed superior performance in early infection detection and antimicrobial resistance identification. Serological tests provided valuable information on immune status and infection history but had limitations in early diagnosis. Conclusions: Molecular diagnostic methods outperform serological assays in sensitivity and specificity for bacterial infection detection, particularly in early stages. However, serological tests remain important for assessing host immune response. Integrated use of both methods tailored to clinical context optimizes diagnostic accuracy and patient management.