Abstract:
This study has involved the analysis of volatile fingerprints using a hybrid electronic
nose (e-nose) to discriminate between and diagnose the microorganisms which cause
ventilator–associated pneumonia (VAP), one of the most important infections in the
hospital environment. This infection occurs in hospitalised patients with 48-72 hrs of
mechanical ventilation. VAP diagnostics still remains a problem due to the lack of a
precise diagnostic tool. The current tests are mostly based on quantitative cultures of
samples from the lower lung airways with clinical findings, which do not often result in
accurate diagnoses of the disease. Cont/d.
