Rapid diagnostic tests and loop-mediated isothermal amplification method for the detection of Shigella species: A systematic review and meta-analysis

We meta-analyzed the diagnostic accuracy of rapid diagnostic tests (dipsticks) and loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method to detect Shigella species. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science and Google Scholar from inception to 2023 for studies reporting on the performance of Shigella dipstick and LAMP tests compared with culture or polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Our search identified 2618 studies, of which fourteen met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review. Ten studies covering 4056 tests (from twelve countries) were included in the meta-analysis. The overall pooled sensitivity and specificity were 98 % (95 % CI: 94–100) and 97 % (95 % CI: 92–99), respectively. Pooled sensitivity and specificity of dipsticks were 95 % and 98 %, respectively. In contrast, LAMP showed higher pooled sensitivity (100 %) and diagnostic odds ratio (431752), but similar specificity (97 %). LAMP and dipstick tests exhibited promising performance, suggesting that they could be useful for assisting in the diagnosis of shigellosis.