Outbreak News Today: Diagnosis of invasive Aspergillosis by ‘Breath Test’ shows promise

Sophia Koo, MD, of Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, and a team of researchers wondered if they could find a unique “chemical signature” in the breath of patients being evaluated for fungal pneumonia. In the lab, they identified several compounds, or metabolites, normally produced by Aspergillus fumigatus and other fungi that can cause pneumonia. 
“Identification of the underlying microbial etiology remains elusive in most patients with pneumonia, even with invasive diagnostic measures,” Dr. Koo said. “Our findings provide proof-of-concept that we can harness detection of species-specific metabolites to identify the precise microbial cause of pneumonia, which may guide appropriate treatment of these infections.”

 

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