Diagnosing bacterial pneumonia using breath analysis
Official title: Rapid, Breath Volatile Metabolite-Based Diagnosis, Species Identification, and Antibiotic Resistance Profiling in Bacterial Pneumonia
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-11015917 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a quick and easy breath test to help doctors tell if someone has bacterial pneumonia, which could lead to better treatment without needing any uncomfortable procedures.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | February 15, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $753,224 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI175040-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11015917 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include patients experiencing symptoms of acute respiratory infections who may have bacterial pneumonia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-bacterial respiratory infections or those who do not exhibit symptoms of pneumonia may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop a rapid and accurate diagnostic tool that identifies bacterial pneumonia by analyzing volatile metabolites in a patient's breath. By utilizing a portable gas chromatography-differential mobility spectrometry (GC-DMS) platform, the study seeks to differentiate bacterial pneumonia from other respiratory conditions without invasive procedures. The approach focuses on detecting specific breath signatures that indicate the presence of bacterial infections and their resistance to antibiotics, potentially leading to more effective treatment decisions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions and improve treatment outcomes for patients with bacterial pneumonia.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using breath analysis for diagnosing various conditions, indicating potential success for this novel approach in bacterial pneumonia.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Koo, Sophia — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Koo, Sophia
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.