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SINGAPORE: Researchers in Singapore have developed a breath test to detect COVID-19 in one minute, the National University of Singapore (NUS) said on Tuesday (October 20).
The test, which detects volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in a person’s breath, achieved more than 90 percent accuracy in a clinical trial involving 180 patients.
READ: Some COVID-19 rapid test kits show ‘promising’ results: Gan Kim Yong
A person conducting a COVID-19 test would simply have to blow into a disposable mouthpiece connected to a “high-precision breath sampler,” the university said in a press release.
The exhaled air is then collected and fed to a mass spectrometer for measurement.
Subsequently, machine learning software analyzes the VOC profile and generates the result in less than a minute.
Breathonix was founded by Dr. Jia Zhunan (left) and Mr. Du Fang (center). With them is Vice President (Innovation and Enterprise) Freddy Boey (right). (Photo: National University of Singapore)
The technology, developed by start-up NUS Breathonix, “offers a quick and convenient solution for identifying COVID-19 infection,” the university said.
VOCs are constantly produced by various biochemical reactions in human cells, explained Dr. Jia Zhunan, CEO of Breathonix.
“Different diseases cause specific changes in compounds, resulting in detectable changes in a person’s respiratory profile. As such, VOCs can be measured as markers for diseases like COVID-19. “
The company’s chief operating officer, Du Fang, added that the system’s disposable mouthpiece has a one-way valve and a saliva trap that prevents inhalation and saliva from entering the machine.
“This makes cross-contamination unlikely,” Du said.
RESULTS GENERATED IN REAL TIME
The breath test results are generated in real time, Dr. Jia said. He said this made it an attractive solution for mass screening, especially in areas with high human traffic.
“Our breath test is easy to administer and does not require specially trained personnel or laboratory processing,” he added.
READ: Listings Removed for Illegal COVID-19 Test Kits, HSA Warns Their Use Could Lead to Spread of Disease
Currently, standard COVID-19 detection involves a swab test, which can be uncomfortable, and diagnosis using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests can take a few hours.
In collaboration with the National Center for Infectious Diseases, Breathonix conducted a pilot clinical trial with 180 patients.
The test, which uses built-in machine learning algorithms, achieved an accuracy of more than 90 percent, with a sensitivity of 93 percent.
It also detected with a specificity of 95 percent, correctly identifying those without the disease.
The clinical trial is ongoing and further testing is required to further improve the precision of the technology, NUS said.
The test could be implemented at airports to facilitate the recovery of the tourism sector, as well as places with high human traffic such as dormitories, the university said.
In early October, Health Minister Gan Kim Yong said that some of the rapid COVID-19 test kits being evaluated are showing “promising” results.
He also said that Singapore hopes to implement alternative test methods in the coming months.
“The increased testing facilitated by these rapid test kits, coupled with strengthened containment efforts, including contact tracing and adhering to appropriate secure management measures, have the potential to allow us to resume more activities, including industries related to travel and larger-scale events, “Gan said in a written parliamentary response.
“We look forward to implementing some of these alternative tests in the coming months, as we work on practical ways to incorporate such rapid tests into our national COVID-19 response.”
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