Predicting the future from the past: volatile markers for respiratory infections

Abstract

We read with great interest the editorial by Agusti [1] which reflected on past advances in technology in general, in respiratory medicine more specifically, and which tried to predict potential future advances. Among the latter, the use of exhaled biomarkers for detection of lung cancer caught our attention and we want to bring the editor's and readers’ attention to a rapidly advancing related field of respiratory medicine, namely the analysis of volatile biomarkers of bacterial infections in exhaled breath. Like all living cells, bacteria produce numerous volatile organic compounds (VOCs), of which some may be species-specific and thus provide a biological fingerprint of pathogen presence. Detection of such bacteria-derived metabolites in exhaled breath is completely non-invasive and can be performed repeatedly without any burden to the patient. It is increasingly recognised as an innovative and promising diagnostic technique for early detection of emerging pulmonary infections [2]. Furthermore, breath analysis has high potential to advance precision diagnosis of pathogens as it reflects individual susceptibility to disease causing agents and also to therapeutic agents. Apart from this, the potential for non-invasive “real-time” analysis of exhaled biomarkers and the application of portable, point-of-care, sensor-based devices for personalised monitoring of disease state and therapy progress is a clear advancement beyond the current state-of-the-art in clinical practice. Ultimately such methodology could lead to more timely and hence more effective antibiotic use.Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for the detection of respiratory infections http://ow.ly/rdhy30aEGQt