Multiplexed Nanomaterial-Based Sensor Array for Detection of COVID-19 in Exhaled Breath

Abstract

This article reports on a noninvasive approach in detecting and following-up individuals who are at-risk or have an existing COVID-19 infection, with a potential ability to serve as an epidemic control tool. The proposed method uses a developed breath device composed of a nanomaterial-based hybrid sensor array with multiplexed detection capabilities that can detect disease-specific biomarkers from exhaled breath, thus enabling rapid and accurate diagnosis. An exploratory clinical study with this approach was examined in Wuhan, China, during March 2020. The study cohort included 49 confirmed COVID-19 patients, 58 healthy controls, and 33 non-COVID lung infection controls. When applicable, positive COVID-19 patients were sampled twice: during the active disease and after recovery. Discriminant analysis of the obtained signals from the nanomaterial-based sensors achieved very good test discriminations between the different groups. The training and test set data exhibited respectively 94% and 76% accuracy in differentiating patients from controls as well as 90% and 95% accuracy in differentiating between patients with COVID-19 and patients with other lung infections. While further validation studies are needed, the results may serve as a base for technology that would lead to a reduction in the number of unneeded confirmatory tests and lower the burden on hospitals, while allowing individuals a screening solution that can be performed in PoC facilities. The proposed method can be considered as a platform that could be applied for any other disease infection with proper modifications to the artificial intelligence and would therefore be available to serve as a diagnostic tool in case of a new disease outbreak.

Emerging Telemedicine Tools for Remote COVID-19 Diagnosis, Monitoring, and Management

“…(D) A COVID-19 breath test that uses an array of nanomaterial-based hybrid sensors for exhaled breath analysis toward machine learning assisted COVID-19 diagnosis. Reproduced with permission from ref ( 48 ). Copyright 2020 ACS.…”

“…Artificial intelligence (AI) has been incorporated into the diagnosis of COVID-19 based on standard laboratory testing, CT scans, and clinical presentation, 47 but it is also used to identify COVID-19 signatures in exhaled breath analysis through a hand-held breathalyzer system ( Figure 2 D). 48 A sensor array of AuNPs functionalized with organic ligands produces changes in the electric resistance due to shrinking and swelling of the nanomaterial film based on chemical reactions upon exposure of exhaled breath composed of respiratory gases, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and water vapor. The testing procedure was observed to be highly specific for COVID-19 in comparison to other lung infections.…”

SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: a review of molecular diagnostic tools including sample collection and commercial response with associated advantages and limitations

“…Haick et al developed an interesting alternative to COVID-19 diagnostics involving the detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the exhaled breath of patients ( Fig. 4d) [210]. The chemi-resistive sensor array consists of AuNPs linked to organic ligands that swell or shrink upon exposure to various VOCs, causing a change in the electric resistance.…”

“…(modified with permission from[209]. Copyright © American Chemical Society) d A chemi-resistive sensor utilizing array consisting of AuNPs for detection of VOCs from the exhaled breath of COVID-19 patients (reproduced from[210] with permission from the Royal Society of Chemistry)…”

A breath of fresh air – the potential for COVID-19 breath diagnostics

“…This was also followed by at least one porcine animal study that looked at breath VOC signatures in influenza infected animals [8] . Earlier this year, two other reports have also tentatively linked specific breath VOCs with SARS-CoV-2 infections [ 9 , 10 ], and clearly this emerging area is likely to continue to yield interesting results.…”