Rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection by multicapillary column coupled ion mobility spectrometry (MCC-IMS) of breath. A proof of concept study

Abstract

There is an urgent need for screening of patients having a communicable viral disease to cut infection chains. We could recently demonstrate that MCC-IMS of breath is able to identify In uenza-A infected patients. With decreasing In uenza epidemic and upcoming SARS-CoV-2 infections we went on and also analysed patients with suspected SARS-CoV-2 infections. 75 patients, 34m, 41f, aged 64.4 ± 15.4 years, 14 positive for In uenza-A, 16 positive for SARS-CoV-2, the remaining 44 patients were used as controls. In one patient RT-PCR was highly suspicious of SARS-CoV-2 but initially inconclusive Besides RT-PCR analysis of nasopharyngeal swabs all patients underwent MCC-IMS analysis of breath. There was no difference in gender or age according to the groups. 97.3% of the patients could be correctly classi ed to the respective group by discriminant analysis. Even the inconclusive patient could be mapped to the SARS-CoV-2 group applying the discrimination function. Conclusion MCC-IMS is able to detect SARS-CoV-2 infection and In uenza-A infection in breath. As this method provides exact, fast non-invasive diagnosis it should be further developed for screening of communicable viral diseases. Trial registration ClinicalTrial.gov, NCT04282135 Registered

Mass Spectrometry-Based Human Breath Analysis: Towards COVID-19 Diagnosis and Research

“…VOCs are usually required to be collected into a gas bag or gas bottle for subsequentially GC–MS analysis (Table 3 ). GC–MS analysis of breath VOC and blood metabolites has been proposed for COVID-19 diagnosis and research [ 29 , 59 – 61 ]. To improve biomarker discovery, SPME and needle trap device techniques were also proposed to couple with GC–MS for enhanced breath analysis in COVID-19 research [ 55 , 61 – 63 ].…”

COVID Sniffer Dogs: Technical and Ethical Concerns

“…Some of the VOCs produced in a single cell line of the infective viruses H9N2, H6N2, and H1N1 appeared selective for each virus, but a plethora of several other non-specific VOCs were present ( 26 ). A study on breath analysis using multi-capillary column-ion mobility spectrometry showed that it is possible to discriminate between influenza A and SARS-CoV-2 infections based on the different VOC profiles, although specific VOCs were not identified ( 27 ). The authors suggested that dogs could be used to successfully discriminate SARS-CoV-2 infection from other infective diseases.…”

Discrimination of SARS-CoV-2 Infections From Other Viral Respiratory Infections by Scent Detection Dogs

“…In addition, infections by different influenza A virus subtypes result in disparate VOC patterns ( 21 ). Current data from several studies suggest that SARS-CoV-2 infections create a specific VOC pattern which could be used in diagnostics ( 22 , 37 , 39 , 40 ). Steppert et al analysed exhaled breath from persons infected by SARS-CoV-2 or influenza A virus and healthy people via multi-capillary column-ion mobility spectrometry.…”

“…Steppert et al analysed exhaled breath from persons infected by SARS-CoV-2 or influenza A virus and healthy people via multi-capillary column-ion mobility spectrometry. They were able to discriminate between SARS-CoV-2, influenza A virus and controls in a few minutes which indicates that SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A virus infections can be distinguished by their differing VOC patterns ( 22 ). In summary, these data indicate that every viral infection creates its own specific VOC pattern and can therefore be discriminated.…”

“…Aksenov and colleagues analysed VOCs emitted from cell cultures infected by different influenza virus subtypes and found unique VOC patterns for each subtype ( 21 ). A recent study has analysed breath samples from individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 or influenza A virus and found also in this experiment virus-specific VOC patterns ( 22 ). These studies highlight that not only different virus families but also subtypes within one family have a different odour and could probably be distinguished by scent dogs.…”