Early Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases

Sepsis is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality if not treated quicker. None of the currently available conventional and molecular methods are sufficiently rapid to achieve this. Odour-based assays could potentially fill this diagnostic niche. Presently available Mass Spectrometry to profile VOCs are of low sensitivity for fastidious organisms and labour-intensive. Considering an Electronic Nose, an instrument with a sensor and pattern recognition software, quantifies and classifies the gas. The sample peaks are produced mostly in the first ten minutes and thus is rapid. In this study, an E- Nose GC-sensor system was used as diagnostic tool for Hib sepsis. The results produced much useful information for the study to be improved. The choice of sensor by their sensitivities to detect the volatiles produced and the selection of growth media (human serum in this case) play a role in E-Nose to be a diagnostic tool. Further studies need to be undertaken with a greater number of species and strains to ensure that these volatiles production in human serum is conserved in the broader microbial population. Thus in near future, E-Nose may provide clinical advantages.