E-nose Utility in the Diagnosis of Bacterial Infection in COPD
E-nose Utility in the Diagnosis of Bacterial Infection in COPD
Hypothesis: A commercial e-nose (Cyranose 320) is able to detect specific breathprints from
 patients with COPD and bacterial infection
Thirty to 50% of COPD patients have airway colonization with potentially pathogenic bacteria.
 This is associated with worse prognosis. Currently, diagnosis of bacterial colonization
 relies mainly upon quantitative sputum culture. However, this method lacks good sensitivity.
 The electronic nose is a novel device made up of nanosensors capable of detecting specific
 volatile organic compounds (VOCs). OBJECTIVES: Main 1) To assess the usefulness of the
 electronic nose in the diagnosis of bacterial colonization in COPD. Secondary 1) To define
 the VOCs pattern associated with bacterial colonization. 2) To study the pattern of pulmonary
 and systemic inflammation associated with bacterial colonization as well its relationship
 with the aforementioned VOCs patterns.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  COPD patients

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Exacerbation in the last 4 weeks