Breath biomarkers associated with nontuberculosis mycobacteria disease status in persons with cystic fibrosis: a pilot study

Pulmonary infections caused by mycobacteria cause significant mortality and morbidity in the human population. Diagnosing mycobacterial infections is challenging. An infection can lead to active disease or remain indolent with little clinical consequence. In patients with pulmonary nontuberculosis mycobacteria (PNTM) identification of infection and diagnosis of disease can take months to years. Our previous studies showed the potential diagnostic power of volatile molecules in the exhaled breath samples to detect active pulmonary M. tuberculosis infection. Herein, we demonstrate the ability to detect the disease status of PNTM in the breath of persons with cystic fibrosis (PwCF). We putatively identified 17 volatile molecules that could discriminate between active-NTM disease (n = 6), indolent patients (n = 3), and those patients who have never cultured an NTM (n = 2). The results suggest that further confirmation of the breath biomarkers as a non-invasive and culture-independent tool for diagnosis of NTM disease in a larger cohort of PwCF is warranted

Automated summary

Pulmonary infections caused by mycobacteria are a significant health concern, and diagnosing these infections is a challenge. Previous studies have shown the potential of volatile molecules in exhaled breath samples for detecting active pulmonary tuberculosis infection. In this study, the ability to detect the disease status of pulmonary nontuberculosis mycobacteria (PNTM) in the breath of cystic fibrosis patients was demonstrated. A set of 17 volatile molecules were identified that could discriminate between active NTM disease, indolent patients, and those who have never cultured an NTM.