Diagnosis of pulmonary and extra-pulmonary tuberculosis in Paraguay using the electronic nose (ParaNose study)

Introduction: A study with a prototype of an electronic nose device, found high sensitivity to detect TB. A simplified, easy-to-use, point-of-care device was tested in a TB reference centre. Aims and objectives: to determine the diagnostic accuracy of AENOSE® in TB. Methods: observational study in adult patients with TB, and matched healthy controls presenting in INERAM. TB diagnosis was established by positive culture or other supporting evidence. Clinical, radiological and laboratory data were collected. Measurements of the air composition was done breathing normally during 5 minutes. Results: in total 86 participants were evaluated with the AEONOSE®. Forty one patients had TB and 45 were healthy controls. Sensitivity of the AEONOSE® in this first analysis is 93% and specificity 89% which is shown in the ROC curve below. Conclusions: the AEONOSE® is a simple, non invasive test, and showed a high accuracy.