Researchers from Johns Hopkins University are working on a novel method of testing exhaled breath to detect infection rapidly after potential exposure to a biological warfare agent.

“This device is designed to aid first responders in the event of a suspected biological weapon release,” said Nate Boggs, a John Hopkins associate research scientist.

The portable device could be carried by firefighters, police officers and EMTs to a suspected biological weapons release. It sets up quickly and requires little maintenance.

The idea is to provide a tool that can assist first responders with on-site triage and help in hospital emergency departments so people exposed to biological agents can get rapid treatment. "It's easier to sample breath from many people very quickly than it is to draw blood," said Joany Jackman, a researcher on the project. The technology is designed to detect cytokines in the breath. When exposed to disease-causing organisms, cells in the body release proteins, called cytokines, to help the immune cells identify and fight the infection. The researchers theorize that cytokines might work their way up through the tissue until eventually they would be exhaled through water vapor in the breath, where they could be captured and identified.

Boggs said that this detector would assist the first responders in four ways:

1] It would allow first responders to screen individuals and identify those who were not contaminated, allowing them to focus their time and resources on those actually in need of medical attention.

2] It would make the screening process easier and non invasive. Collecting breath from people is much easier and comfortable than drawing blood.

3] It would make the diagnostic process quicker. Results could be available in minutes, and it is known that the quicker you start administering treatment, the better the chance of survival.

4] This technique could provide a pre symptomatic diagnosis of infection. Cytokines could be detected in the exhaled breath long before physical symptoms are present. This gives medical personnel added time to combat disease.