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Updated: May 13, 2026
Real-time Breath Analysis by Using Secondary Nanoelectrospray Ionization Coupled to High Resolution Mass Spectrometry
Published on: March 9, 2018
Secondary electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (SESI-MS) breathprinting of multiple bacterial lung pathogens, a
Jiangjiang Zhu1, Heather D Bean, Jaime Jiménez-Díaz
1School of Engineering, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont 05405, USA.
Abstract:
Bacterial pneumonia is one of the leading causes of disease-related morbidity and mortality in the world, in part because the diagnostic tools for pneumonia are slow and ineffective. To improve the diagnosis success rates and treatment outcomes for bacterial lung infections, we are exploring the use of secondary electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (SESI-MS) breath analysis as a rapid, noninvasive method for determining the etiology of lung infections in situ. Using a murine lung infection model, we demonstrate that SESI-MS breathprints can be used to distinguish mice that are infected with one of seven lung pathogens: Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Legionella pneumophila, Moraxella catarrhalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pneumoniae, representing the primary causes of bacterial pneumonia worldwide. After applying principal components analysis, we observed that with the first three principal components (primarily comprised of data from 14 peaks), all infections were separable via SESI-MS breathprinting (P < 0.0001). Therefore, we have shown the potential of this SESI-MS approach for rapidly detecting and identifying acute bacterial lung infections in situ via breath analysis.
Insights
Rapidly diagnosing bacterial pneumonia is crucial. Secondary electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (SESI-MS) breath analysis shows promise for quickly identifying lung pathogens noninvasively, improving treatment outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Microbiology
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Bacterial pneumonia is a major global cause of illness and death.
- Current diagnostic methods for pneumonia are often slow and lack effectiveness.
- There is a critical need for rapid, noninvasive diagnostic tools for lung infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore secondary electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (SESI-MS) breath analysis for rapid, noninvasive diagnosis of bacterial lung infections.
- To determine if SESI-MS breathprints can differentiate between various bacterial lung pathogens in situ.
Main Methods:
- A murine lung infection model was utilized.
- Secondary electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (SESI-MS) was employed for breath analysis.
- Principal components analysis (PCA) was applied to SESI-MS breathprint data.
Main Results:
- SESI-MS breathprints successfully distinguished between mice infected with seven different lung pathogens.
- The pathogens included Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Legionella pneumophila, Moraxella catarrhalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pneumoniae.
- Principal components analysis revealed clear separation of infection groups using 14 key peaks (P < 0.0001).
Conclusions:
- SESI-MS breath analysis is a potentially powerful tool for the rapid, in situ detection of bacterial lung infections.
- This noninvasive approach can identify specific bacterial pathogens causing pneumonia.
- The findings suggest SESI-MS can significantly improve diagnosis success rates and treatment outcomes for bacterial pneumonia.
