Identifying the "smell" of different
types of lung bacteria could lead to a simple breath test to diagnose
infections, a study on mice, in the Journal of Breath Research, suggests.
Breath analysis could reduce lung infection diagnosis times from weeks to
minutes, the Vermont researchers said.
Scientists have already researched breath tests to diagnose asthma and
cancer.
An expert said breath analysis was "an important and emerging field".
Diagnosing bacterial infections traditionally means collecting a sample that
is used to grow bacteria in the lab. This bacteria is then tested to classify it
and see how it responds to antibiotics, which can take time.
Doctors see breath analysis, in contrast, as a fast and non-invasive method
of diagnosing diseases.
Continue reading the main story
“Start Quote
Breath analysis is an emerging field and is likely to take
off across the board.”
End Quote
Prof Richard Hubbard Nottingham City Hospital
For
the study,
researchers from the University of Vermont analysed volatile organic compounds
(VOCs) given off in exhaled breath by different bacteria as well as different
strains of the same bacterium.
They infected mice with two bacteria that are both common in lung infections
-
Pseudomonas aeruginosa and
Staphylococcus aureus - and
sampled their breath after 24 hours.
'Useful
tool'
The compounds in their breath were analysed using a technique called
secondary electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (SESI-MS), which is capable
of detecting extremely small elements of the chemicals present in their
breath.
The researchers said they found a "statistically significant" difference
between the breath profiles of the mice infected with the bacteria and the mice
that were uninfected.
They also said they were able to differentiate between two species of
bacteria and two different strains of the same
P. aeruginosa
bacterium.
But Jane Hill, co-author of the study, from the University of Vermont College
of Medicine, said there were still some challenges to overcome with
"breath-prints".
"We are now collaborating with colleagues to sample patients in order to
demonstrate the strengths, as well as limitations, of breath analysis more
comprehensively," she said.
Richard Hubbard, professor of respiratory epidemiology at Nottingham City
Hospital and a spokesman for the British Lung Foundation, said breath analysis
was already being used to diagnose children with asthma.
"Breath analysis is an emerging field and is likely to take off across the
board. It could be a very useful tool for children with cystic fibrosis, for
example, as a guide on how to treat them," he said.
Identifying the "smell" of different
types of lung bacteria could lead to a simple breath test to diagnose
infections, a study on mice, in the Journal of Breath Research, suggests.
Breath analysis could reduce lung infection diagnosis times from weeks to
minutes, the Vermont researchers said.
Scientists have already researched breath tests to diagnose asthma and
cancer.
An expert said breath analysis was "an important and emerging field".
Diagnosing bacterial infections traditionally means collecting a sample that
is used to grow bacteria in the lab. This bacteria is then tested to classify it
and see how it responds to antibiotics, which can take time.
Doctors see breath analysis, in contrast, as a fast and non-invasive method
of diagnosing diseases.
“Start Quote
Breath analysis is an emerging field and is likely to take
off across the board.”
End Quote
Prof Richard Hubbard Nottingham City Hospital
For
the study,
researchers from the University of Vermont analysed volatile organic compounds
(VOCs) given off in exhaled breath by different bacteria as well as different
strains of the same bacterium.
They infected mice with two bacteria that are both common in lung infections
-
Pseudomonas aeruginosa and
Staphylococcus aureus - and
sampled their breath after 24 hours.
'Useful
tool'
The compounds in their breath were analysed using a technique called
secondary electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (SESI-MS), which is capable
of detecting extremely small elements of the chemicals present in their
breath.
The researchers said they found a "statistically significant" difference
between the breath profiles of the mice infected with the bacteria and the mice
that were uninfected.
They also said they were able to differentiate between two species of
bacteria and two different strains of the same
P. aeruginosa
bacterium.
But Jane Hill, co-author of the study, from the University of Vermont College
of Medicine, said there were still some challenges to overcome with
"breath-prints".
"We are now collaborating with colleagues to sample patients in order to
demonstrate the strengths, as well as limitations, of breath analysis more
comprehensively," she said.
Richard Hubbard, professor of respiratory epidemiology at Nottingham City
Hospital and a spokesman for the British Lung Foundation, said breath analysis
was already being used to diagnose children with asthma.
"Breath analysis is an emerging field and is likely to take off across the
board. It could be a very useful tool for children with cystic fibrosis, for
example, as a guide on how to treat them," he said.
Identifying the "smell" of different
types of lung bacteria could lead to a simple breath test to diagnose
infections, a study on mice, in the Journal of Breath Research, suggests.
Breath analysis could reduce lung infection diagnosis times from weeks to
minutes, the Vermont researchers said.
Scientists have already researched breath tests to diagnose asthma and
cancer.
An expert said breath analysis was "an important and emerging field".
Diagnosing bacterial infections traditionally means collecting a sample that
is used to grow bacteria in the lab. This bacteria is then tested to classify it
and see how it responds to antibiotics, which can take time.
Doctors see breath analysis, in contrast, as a fast and non-invasive method
of diagnosing diseases.
“
Start Quote
Breath analysis is an emerging field and is likely to take
off across the board.”
End Quote
Prof Richard Hubbard Nottingham City Hospital
For
the study,
researchers from the University of Vermont analysed volatile organic compounds
(VOCs) given off in exhaled breath by different bacteria as well as different
strains of the same bacterium.
They infected mice with two bacteria that are both common in lung infections
-
Pseudomonas aeruginosa and
Staphylococcus aureus - and
sampled their breath after 24 hours.
'Useful
tool'
The compounds in their breath were analysed using a technique called
secondary electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (SESI-MS), which is capable
of detecting extremely small elements of the chemicals present in their
breath.
The researchers said they found a "statistically significant" difference
between the breath profiles of the mice infected with the bacteria and the mice
that were uninfected.
They also said they were able to differentiate between two species of
bacteria and two different strains of the same
P. aeruginosa
bacterium.
But Jane Hill, co-author of the study, from the University of Vermont College
of Medicine, said there were still some challenges to overcome with
"breath-prints".
"We are now collaborating with colleagues to sample patients in order to
demonstrate the strengths, as well as limitations, of breath analysis more
comprehensively," she said.
Richard Hubbard, professor of respiratory epidemiology at Nottingham City
Hospital and a spokesman for the British Lung Foundation, said breath analysis
was already being used to diagnose children with asthma.
"Breath analysis is an emerging field and is likely to take off across the
board. It could be a very useful tool for children with cystic fibrosis, for
example, as a guide on how to treat them," he said.
are keen.
Rais wa Chama cha Mpira wa Miguu Visiwani Zanzibar (ZFA), Aman Ibrahim Makungu, ameandika barua ya kutaka kujiuzulu nafasi yake kwa kile kilichoelezwa kuwa ni kuchoshwa na vitendo vya baadhi ya Viongozi wa juu wa Chama hicho cha kukataa mabadiliko chanya.
