Menssana Research has developed a rapid point-of-care breath test in Newark, US, that accurately detects active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), according to a report published in the Tuberculosis journal.

As part of the research funded by the National Institutes of Health and the US Air Force, 279 patients were studied at four centres in three countries, the Philippines, England and India.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Premium Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

Menssana’s BreathLink system collected and concentrated breath and air volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and analysed them with automated thermal desorption, gas chromatography and surface acoustic wave detection.

The study reported that a six-minute, internet-linked, point-of-care breath test for volatile biomarkers accurately identified subjects with active pulmonary TB.

“Patients prefer breath tests to X-rays or blood or sputum tests because they are quick, painless and safe.”

The breath test is not intended to replace the sputum tests that are currently used, but it could be used as a first-line screening test to reduce the cost of finding each new case of active pulmonary tuberculosis in a high-risk community.

Menssana Research CEO and developer of the breath test, Michael Phillips, said the breath test was 84% accurate in detecting patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

“It detected volatile organic compounds that are manufactured by the infecting organism, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which causes the disease,” Phillips added.

Phillips said that patients generally prefer breath tests to X-rays or blood or sputum tests because they are quick, painless and safe, as well as cost effective.

Menssana Research is currently developing a rapid point-of-care breath test with BreathLink for other diseases, including lung cancer and breast cancer.