The in vitro identification and quantification of volatile biomarkers released by cystic fibrosis pathogens

Gilchrist

doi:10.1039/c4ay02981j

The in vitro identification and quantification of volatile biomarkers released by cystic fibrosis pathogens

Gilchrist

Authors

Francis Gilchrist f.j.gilchrist@keele.ac.uk

Abstract

There is interest in the development of exhaled breath tests for the detection of lower airway infection in children with cystic fibrosis. The first stage of this process is the identification of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released into the gas phase by CF pathogens that can be used as breath test biomarkers. Selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS) is ideally suited to these in vitro studies as it allows simultaneous quantification of multiple VOCs in real time. We review a decade of in vitro experiments using SIFT-MS to analyse the VOCs released by respiratory pathogens. This includes identification and quantification of VOCs and the investigation of the in vitro factors that affect their production. We also report on how our culture methodology has been refined over the years to better account for variations in bacterial mass. Finally, we discuss how these in vitro findings have been translated into clinical trials and assess possible future applications.

Acceptance Date	Jan 6, 2015
Publication Date	Jan 7, 2015
Journal	Analytical Methods
Print ISSN	1759-9660
Publisher	Royal Society of Chemistry
Pages	818 -824
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1039/c4ay02981j
Keywords	breath analysis, cystic fibrosis, biomarkers
Publisher URL	http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/c4ay02981j