Mask-Based Breath Sampling for Detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Adults with Cystic Fibrosis and Bronchiectasis

The study evaluated a novel method for detecting Pseudomonas aeruginosa using a mask to collect aerosols from breath. It involved 23 adult patients with cystic fibrosis or bronchiectasis and 15 healthy controls. Participants wore the mask for 30 minutes and performed 20 instructed coughs. Samples from the mask were tested using qPCR method. Sensitivity of breath qPCR was 63.2 percent compared to 78.9 percent for sputum culture. Specificity of breath qPCR was 100 percent. Participants perceived the mask as easy to use and many preferred it over sputum collection. The results suggest that breath sampling could complement or partially replace sputum-based diagnostics, especially in patients unable to expectorate sputum.