title: Exhaled breath analysis by electronic nose in respiratory diseases.
abstract: Breath analysis via electronic nose is a technique oriented around volatile organic compound (VOC) profiling in exhaled breath for diagnostic and prognostic purposes. This approach, when supported by methodologies for VOC identification, has been often referred to as metabolomics or breathomics. Although breath analysis may have a substantial impact on clinical practice, as it may allow early diagnosis and large-scale screening strategies while being noninvasive and inexpensive, some technical and methodological limitations must be solved, together with crucial interpretative issues. By integrating a review of the currently available literature with more speculative arguments about the potential interpretation and application of VOC analysis, the authors aim to provide an overview of the main relevant aspects of this promising field of research.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Respiratory Pathophysiology, Campus Bio-Medico University and Teaching Hospital, Via Alvaro del Portillo 200 - 00128, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Scarlata
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pennazza
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Santonico
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pedone
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Antonelli Incalzi
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers; D015374:Biosensing Techniques; D001944:Breath Tests / Q000379:methods; D045853:Exhalation; D006801:Humans; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism*; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds
keywords: COPD; asthma; early diagnosis and monitoring; electronic nose; exhaled breath analysis; lung cancer; obstructive sleep apnea; respiratory diseases; screening