New method of screening for COVID-19 disease using sniffer dogs and scents from axillary sweat samples. (23rd June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sarkis, Riad; Lichaa, Anthony; Mjaess, Georges; Saliba, Michele; Selman, Carlo; Lecoq-Julien, Clothilde; Grandjean, Dominique; Jabbour, Nabil M
• Is Part Of: Journal of public health. Volume 44:Number 1(2022)
• Page Start: e36
• Page End: e41
• Publication Date: 2021-06-23
• Subjects: airport -- axillary sweat -- COVID-19 -- PCR -- sniffer dogs; Public health -- Periodicals; Public health -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Medical policy -- Periodicals; Medical policy -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 362.1
• DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdab215
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1741-3842

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Early screening for COVID-19 is needed to limit the spread of the virus. The aim of this study is to test if the sniffer dogs can be successfully trained to identify subjects with COVID-19 for 'proof of concept' and 'non-inferiority' against PCR. We are calling this method, Dognosis (DN). Methods: Four hundred and fifty-nine subjects were included, 256 (Group 'P') were known cases of COVID-19 (PCR positive, some with and some without symptoms) and 203 (Group 'C') were PCR negative and asymptomatic (control). Samples were obtained from the axillary sweat of each subject in a masked fashion. Two dogs trained to detect specific Volatile Organic Compounds for COVID-19 detection were used to test each sample. Results: [DN] turned out positive (+) in all the cases that were PCR positive (100% sensitivity). On the other hand, [DN] turned positive (+) in an average of 12.5 cases (6.2%) that were initially PCR negative (apparent specificity of 93.8%). When the PCR was repeated, true specificity was 97.2%. These parameters varied in subgroups from 100% sensitivity and 99% specificity in symptomatic patients to 100% sensitivity and 93% specificity in asymptomatic patients. Conclusion: DN method shows high sensitivity and specificity in screening COVID-19 patients.