Infectious diseases are a major cause of death worldwide, and diagnosing bacterial infections remains a challenge in medicine. And doing so reliably is more important than ever, given the increasing frequency of antibiotic resistance. Now, research published in ACS Central Science could help healthcare professionals non-invasively diagnose bacterial infections, using breath-based tests. Initial experiments demonstrated the approach in animals with pneumonia and infections in the bloodstream, muscles and bones.
In designing this study, we were motivated by a developing trend in clinical practice, whereby patients and providers want answers right away that will inform treatment decisions. If a patient visits the Emergency Room or Acute Care clinic, we hope that he or she can be…