Delayed Analysis of Hydrogen-Methane Breath Samples.

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Clinical Diagnostics
• Microbiology

Background:

• Hydrogen-methane breath tests are crucial for diagnosing conditions like carbohydrate malabsorption and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.
• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated modifications to breath tests due to their potential to generate aerosols.
• Adapting breath testing for at-home use is essential for patient safety and accessibility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of delayed analysis on hydrogen and methane concentrations in breath samples collected during lactose breath tests.
• To assess the feasibility of at-home breath testing with sample storage at room temperature.
• To determine if delayed analysis affects the accuracy of diagnosing carbohydrate malabsorption.

Main Methods:

• Children performed lactose breath tests at home, providing two breath samples at each step.
• One set of samples was analyzed immediately, while the second set was stored at room temperature for 1-4 days.
• Hydrogen and methane concentrations were compared between immediately analyzed and delayed analyzed samples.

Main Results:

• Out of 73 at-home tests, 45.8% were positive for malabsorption.
• Hydrogen concentrations remained stable in samples stored for up to 117 hours.
• Methane concentrations were significantly higher in samples analyzed 1-4 days after collection.

Conclusions:

• Expired hydrogen levels are stable in plastic syringes at room temperature for several days.
• Delayed analysis of methane in breath samples appears less reliable.
• Further investigation is required to understand the implications of delayed analysis on methane and hydrogen concentrations for accurate diagnosis.