New non-invasive rapid screening technology for COVID-19 using breath-borne VOC biomarkers
Oct 22, 2021
Peking University, October 22, 2021:
At present, the COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing in many parts of the
world, causing severe socio-economic problems. Therefore, rapid
screening for COVID-19 is becoming increasingly crucial. However,
existing nucleic acid tests are not time-efficient enough and carry the
risk of giving false results, leading to further spreading of the virus.
Therefore, relying solely on nucleic acid testing poses public health
and safety risks, and new detection methods are urgently needed.
Recently, Professor Maosheng Yao from College of Environmental Sciences
and Engineering, Peking University integrated breath sampling, Ion
mobility spectrometry detection for gas chromatography, and machine
learning models to develop a non-invasive exhaled breath screening
system for COVID-19 (TestBreathNow-TBN) in collaboration with Chaoyang
Center for Disease Control and Prevention and other research partners.
The team used the system to analyze breath samples from COVID-19
patients, non-COVID patients with respiratory diseases, and medical
staff and identified 12 key breath-borne VOC biomarkers. The sampling
process is completely non-invasive, with subjects using a disposable
breathing bag and exhaling for only 30 seconds to complete the sampling
process. The system is easy to operate, does not require any testing
reagents, and can be used with machine learning models to achieve rapid
screening of COVID-19 patients in 5-10 minutes, with significantly lower
costs for a single test.
Machinism of TestBreathNow-TBN
Analog display of TestBreathNow-TBN
The system is expected to play a major role in reducing the risk of
COVID-19 transmission by providing rapid screening for COVID-19 in
situations such as testing for false-negative results, granting
permissions to custom entry, and deciding whether to discharge COVID-19
patients from hospitals. This technology will contribute to China’s
prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The results of the study were published as a preprint on June 24, 2020, and were recently published online titled “COVID-19 Screening Using Breath-borne Volatile Organic Compounds” in Journal of Breath Research. The new technology is currently applying for a national patent.
Written by: Zhou Zixuan
Edited by: Ma Yaoli
Source: PKU News (Chinese)
