A novel method for rapidly diagnosing the causes of diarrhoea. Issue 1 (18th December 2003)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Probert, C S J; Jones, P R H; Ratcliffe, N M
• Is Part Of: Gut. Volume 53:Issue 1(2004)
• Page Start: 58
• Page End: 61
• Publication Date: 2003-12-18
• Subjects: gas chromatography -- mass spectroscopy -- gastroenteritis -- Clostridium difficile -- rotavirus -- Norwalk virus -- Campylobacter; ELISA, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay -- VOCs, volatile organic compounds -- SRSV, small rounded structured virus -- BMT, bone marrow transplantation -- SPME, solid phase microextraction -- GC, gas chromatography -- MS, mass spectroscopy -- PPV, positive predictive value -- NPV, negative predictive value; Gastroenterology -- Periodicals; 616.33
• DOI: 10.1136/gut.53.1.58
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0017-5749

Abstract

Abstract : Background: The microbiological diagnosis of infectious diarrhoea may take several days using conventional techniques. In order to determine whether flatus can be used to make a rapid diagnosis, the volatile organic compounds associated with diarrhoea were analysed. Methods: Stool samples were collected from 35 patients with infectious diarrhoea and from six healthy controls. Gaseous compounds were extracted from a headspace using solid phase microextraction and analysed using gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy. Results: Characteristic patterns of volatile gases were found for the main causes of infectious diarrhoea in hospitals. Furan species without indoles indicated Clostridium difficile, ethyl dodecanoate indicated rotavirus, ammonia without ethyl dodecanoate suggested other enteric viruses, and the absence of hydrocarbons and terpenes indicated Campylobacter infection. Conclusion: These results could be the basis of rapid near patient diagnosis of infectious diarrhoea.