Your browser doesn't support javascript.
New method of screening for COVID-19 disease using sniffer dogs and scents from axillary sweat samples.
Sarkis, Riad; Lichaa, Anthony; Mjaess, Georges; Saliba, Michele; Selman, Carlo; Lecoq-Julien, Clothilde; Grandjean, Dominique; Jabbour, Nabil M.
  • Sarkis R; Faculty of Medicine, Hotel Dieu de France Hospital, University of Saint Joseph, 17-5208 Beirut, Lebanon.
  • Lichaa A; Faculty of Medicine, Hotel Dieu de France Hospital, University of Saint Joseph, 17-5208 Beirut, Lebanon.
  • Mjaess G; Faculty of Medicine, Hotel Dieu de France Hospital, University of Saint Joseph, 17-5208 Beirut, Lebanon.
  • Saliba M; Faculty of Medicine, Rafiq Hariri Hospital, Lebanese University, 65-7314 Beirut, Lebanon.
  • Selman C; Faculty of Medicine, Hotel Dieu de France Hospital, University of Saint Joseph, 17-5208 Beirut, Lebanon.
  • Lecoq-Julien C; National Veterinary School of Alfort, Paris 94704, France.
  • Grandjean D; National Veterinary School of Alfort, Paris 94704, France.
  • Jabbour NM; Vitreous & Retina Service, WVU Eye Institute, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA.
J Public Health (Oxf) ; 44(1): e36-e41, 2022 03 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1735635
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Early screening for COVID-19 is needed to limit the spread of the virus. The aim of this study is to test if the sniffer dogs can be successfully trained to identify subjects with COVID-19 for 'proof of concept' and 'non-inferiority' against PCR. We are calling this method, Dognosis (DN).

METHODS:

Four hundred and fifty-nine subjects were included, 256 (Group 'P') were known cases of COVID-19 (PCR positive, some with and some without symptoms) and 203 (Group 'C') were PCR negative and asymptomatic (control). Samples were obtained from the axillary sweat of each subject in a masked fashion. Two dogs trained to detect specific Volatile Organic Compounds for COVID-19 detection were used to test each sample.

RESULTS:

[DN] turned out positive (+) in all the cases that were PCR positive (100% sensitivity). On the other hand, [DN] turned positive (+) in an average of 12.5 cases (6.2%) that were initially PCR negative (apparent specificity of 93.8%). When the PCR was repeated, true specificity was 97.2%. These parameters varied in subgroups from 100% sensitivity and 99% specificity in symptomatic patients to 100% sensitivity and 93% specificity in asymptomatic patients.

CONCLUSION:

DN method shows high sensitivity and specificity in screening COVID-19 patients.
Subject(s)
Keywords

Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: COVID-19 Type of study: Diagnostic study / Observational study Limits: Animals / Humans Language: English Journal: J Public Health (Oxf) Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Pubmed

Similar

MEDLINE

...
LILACS

LIS


Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: COVID-19 Type of study: Diagnostic study / Observational study Limits: Animals / Humans Language: English Journal: J Public Health (Oxf) Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Pubmed