Volatile organic compound detection as a potential means of diagnosing cutaneous wound infections

Abstract

Chronic cutaneous wound infections and surgical site infections (SSIs) present a huge burden on the healthcare system and can lead to increased morbidity and mortality. Current diagnostic methods of identifying and confirming infection involve culture-based and molecular methods. Both techniques are time consuming and delays commonly lead to un-targeted empirical treatment. An ideal diagnostic method would be non-invasive and highly sensitive and detect pathogenic organisms with a high degree of accuracy in order to allow targeted treatment. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a diverse group of carbon-based molecules produced and released by humans and microorganisms. VOC detection has the potential in aiding cutaneous wound infection diagnostics using non-invasive and time-efficient methods. This review provides a comprehensive update on VOCs produced and emitted by bacteria commonly associated with chronic wounds and SSIs. VOC sampling has the advantage of being painless, time-efficient, non-invasive and reproducible. VOCs emitted by these organisms are diverse. In vitro studies have identified potential signature volatile profiles, which can be used in detecting these microorganisms. Combining these profiles with volatile profiles emitted from acute, chronic and surgical wounds in vivo could potentially allow identification of bacterial-specific VOCs. VOC detection has the potential for a relatively inexpensive, portable, non-invasive and reliable clinical diagnostic tool, which could be used in detecting cutaneous wound infections and guiding their optimal management. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

from #AlexandrosSfakianakis via Alexandros G.Sfakianakis on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2tinS5h
via IFTTT