Breathalyzers in Healthcare: Non-Invasive Screening for Infectious Diseases

MAHIMA BHAT – Innovations in medical diagnostics have increased in recent years to improve testing accuracy, accessibility, and minimal invasiveness. Historically, imaging methods such as CT scans, swabs, and blood tests have been used to identify infectious diseases. Despite their effectiveness, these techniques can be time-consuming, expensive, and uncomfortable for patients. Breathalyzers, which have long been used to measure blood alcohol content, are now being modified to transform how medical professionals screen for and diagnose bacterial infections and infectious diseases like COVID-19.

Traditional Uses of Breathalyzers

Breathalyzers were first created and widely used as a means of determining blood alcohol content in people who may be suspected of driving under the influence. Since alcohol in the bloodstream travels to the lungs and is detectable upon exhalation, these devices measure the amount of ethanol in the breath. Without requiring blood samples, law enforcement was able to determine the degree of intoxication on the scene due to this effective and non-invasive technology. Because of their efficiency and ease of use, breathalyzers swiftly established themselves as a standard in alcohol testing.

The implementation of breathalyzers into the healthcare industry began when researchers discovered breath contains hundreds of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), many of which are associated with particular physiological conditions. Certain illnesses release distinct biomarkers that can be found in exhaled air as they change the body’s metabolism. Acetone, for instance, is a well-known blood sugar indicator that can be used to manage diabetes. Scientists have discovered over time that VOCs are connected to several infections, metabolic diseases, and cancers.

Breathalyzers for COVID-19 and Infectious Disease Detection

Recent developments in breathalyzer technology by University of Colorado Boulder researchers have the potential to revolutionize healthcare, especially diagnosing infectious diseases. With the help of artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum technology, this new laser-based breathalyzer can detect COVID-19 in real time and with remarkable accuracy, offering a quick, non-invasive, and chemical-free diagnostic alternative. By providing an alternative to the current testing methods, which are frequently intrusive, time-consuming, and reliant on laboratory resources, such a tool could be extremely helpful in high-traffic areas, hospitals, or even integrated into personal devices for immediate health monitoring.

Given their many benefits, funding for developing breathalyzer-based diagnostics could significantly increase. Breath analyzers are non-invasive, chemical-free, and provide results instantly, in contrast to conventional testing techniques like PCR, which call for lab processing and chemicals. Healthcare systems may experience lower expenses and logistical strains as a result of this efficiency, particularly during outbreaks when immediate testing is essential. Additionally, breath tests may promote greater patient compliance and more frequent screening because they are typically less uncomfortable than swabs or blood draws. This would be beneficial for the early detection and treatment of infectious diseases.

Although breathalyzers were originally used to measure blood alcohol content, their development into sophisticated medical diagnostic instruments heralds an exciting new era in non-invasive testing. In addition to broadening the use of breathalyzers to identify infections like COVID-19, the Colorado team is investigating possible indicators for conditions like diabetes and cancer. Funding opportunities may increase as the technology is improved to identify molecular “breath prints” linked to different medical conditions, particularly as healthcare moves toward accessible, preventive, and personalized medical tools. Future studies and investments in this technology may open the door to routine use, making breathalyzer diagnostics as commonplace as clinic blood pressure checks. This would greatly improve our diagnostic capabilities and, in the end, save lives through early intervention.

Future Directives

Despite their advantages, breathalyzer-based diagnostics continue to present challenges especially when processing the complexity of human breath. It is challenging to identify disease-specific markers because each person’s breath contains a different mixture of substances influenced by their environment, diet, and genetics. Nevertheless, current studies are addressing these problems by creating databases of breath biomarkers for different illnesses, enabling more individualized diagnosis.

Previous issue link: https://stethoscopemagazine.org/2014/11/28/stretching-the-horizons-breathalyzers-for-diagnosis/ 

Copy Editor – Sameeka Prabath

Photography Source – https://www.istockphoto.com/illustrations/lung-disease-cartoon