Back to Search Start Over

The Potential of Fecal Volatile Organic Compound Analysis for the Early Diagnosis of Late-Onset Sepsis in Preterm Infants: A Narrative Review

Authors :
Rimke R. de Kroon
Nina M. Frerichs
Eduard A. Struys
Nanne K. de Boer
Tim G. J. de Meij
Hendrik J. Niemarkt
Source :
Sensors, Vol 24, Iss 10, p 3162 (2024)
Publication Year :
2024
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2024.

Abstract

Early diagnosis and treatment of late-onset sepsis (LOS) is crucial for survival, but challenging. Intestinal microbiota and metabolome alterations precede the clinical onset of LOS, and the preterm gut is considered an important source of bacterial pathogens. Fecal volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formed by physiologic and pathophysiologic metabolic processes in the preterm gut, reflect a complex interplay between the human host, the environment, and microbiota. Disease-associated fecal VOCs can be detected with an array of devices with various potential for the development of a point-of-care test (POCT) for preclinical LOS detection. While characteristic VOCs for common LOS pathogens have been described, their VOC profiles often overlap with other pathogens due to similarities in metabolic pathways, hampering the construction of species-specific profiles. Clinical studies have, however, successfully discriminated LOS patients from healthy individuals using fecal VOC analysis with the highest predictive value for Gram-negative pathogens. This review discusses the current advancements in the development of a non-invasive fecal VOC-based POCT for early diagnosis of LOS, which may potentially provide opportunities for early intervention and targeted treatment and could improve clinical neonatal outcomes. Identification of confounding variables impacting VOC synthesis, selection of an optimal detection device, and development of standardized sampling protocols will allow for the development of a novel POCT in the near future.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
14248220
Volume :
24
Issue :
10
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Sensors
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.2c21b777683e4d098368ff6cb2d8c7d4
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/s24103162