Comparison of volatile organic compound profiles in exhaled breath versus plasma headspace in different diseases

Breath analysis is the study of volatile organic compounds (VOC's) in exhaled breath. This analysis provides information on the body's condition. In this study we investigated the relationship between 22 VOC's detected in exhaled breath and plasma headspace using a selected ion flow tube mass spectrometer (SYFT-MS). We compared pairs of exhaled breath and plasma samples from patients with pulmonary hypertension inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and IBD patients after J-pouch surgery (pouch group). Half of the measured VOC's from exhaled breath were significantly associated with the VOC's from plasma headspace. Interestingly, six breath VOC's (trimethyl amine (FDR p = 0.02), hydrogen sulfide (FDR p = 7.64 × 10^-30), ethanol (FDR p = 1.56 × 10^-4), dimethyl sulfide (FDR p = 5.70 × 10^-19), benzene (FDR p = 8.40 × 10^-27), and acetaldehyde (FDR p = 4.27 × 10^-17)) and two plasma headspace VOC's (1-Octene (FDR p = 0.02) and 2-propanol (FDR p = 2.47 × 10^-9)) were able to differentiate between the three groups. Breath and plasma headspace share a similar signature with significant association in half of the measured VOCs. The disease discriminatory capacity of breath and plasma headspace appear to be different. Therefore, using the VOC's print from both breath and plasma headspace may better help diagnose patients.