The Use of an Electronic Nose to Distinguish Between Bacterial and Non-Bacterial Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

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The electronic Nose detects and analyses volatile organic compounds in a gas sample. It has previously been used in the food industry and to detect explosives. By sampling exhaled air in a single breath from a patient, the technology can be used to provide a profile which may define underlying pathology in the airways and lung. In this study we will obtain recordings using the Nose from otherwise well patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) undergoing pulmonary rehabilitation (n=50) and patients experiencing an acute exacerbation of COPD (n=50). We will compare the Nose signal between these groups, and assess them for the presence or absence of bacterial infection, to see whether there is a nose signal which is characteristic for bacterial infection (which might indicate the need for antibiotic therapy). The aim is to develop bedside technology which is easy to use and provides clinicians with practical information as to whether or not an acute exacerbation is or is not caused by bacterial rather than viral infection. Patients will receive best standard care and the results of the Nose sampling will not alter their standard treatment in any way.

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