Clinical Applications of On-Line Breath Analysis by Mass Spectrometry in Children with Cystic Fibrosis and Asthma

Abstract

Breath analysis aims at identifying signatures of exhaled volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are of biological relevance and can potentially be used for non-invasive diagnosis and monitoring of respiratory diseases, as well as many other clinical applications. The life-limiting hereditary disease cystic fibrosis (CF) is associated with severe respiratory consequences caused by progressing pulmonary inflammation and infection. Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that is very frequent in children and its accurate diagnosis remains a challenge for pediatricians. The aim of this thesis was to explore the usability of on-line breath analysis by secondary electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (SESI-HRMS) for potential clinical applications in children with CF and asthma.