Prospective diagnosis of Covid-19 infection using exhaled breath analysis by electronic nose

Rationale:
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently characterized novel
coronavirus (Covid-19) as a pandemic due to its rapid spread and severity.
Common clinical symptoms of the disease include fever, cough, shortness of
breath. However, in some patients the disease progresses to more severe
outcomes as such pneumonia, progressive respiratory failure and even death.
Currently, a Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (rRT-PCR) test is
used to detect the virus using e.g. sputum samples. However, results of the
test are often available after one to three days. Therefore, there is an urgent
need for a diagnostic tool with a rapid turnaround time in processing Covid-19
test results and identify patients with higher risk of fatal outcomes. Exhaled
breath analysis using eNose technology linked to a cloud solution may qualify
for this.

Objective:
The overall aim of this pilot study is to determine the diagnostic accuracy of
exhaled breath analysis by eNose for the discrimination between patients and
health care workers with and without Covid-19 at point of care.

Study design:
Prospective, observational, cross-sectional multi-centre pilot study

Nature and extent of the burden and risks associated with participation,
benefit and group relatedness:
As this concerns observational research using exhaled breath, no direct risk is
involved with participation in this study. Participation in this study does not
affect the subjects* regular care.