Background/aim: The analysis of VOCs through respiration has been used for biomarker analysis for the detection of novel coronaviruses and has found mainly six VOCs by breath analysis by GC-IMS are ethanol, octane, acetone, cluster mixture of acetone/butanone and methanol. Previous research found exhaled methanol concentrations were lower in COVID-19 patients. The aim of this study was to analyze differences in VOC concentration in Covid-19 patients with healthy people.
Methods: This Case Control study used 93 confirmed case samples of Covid-19 and 42 healthy people. Demographic and clinical data taken from anamnesis and/or medical records. VOC’s data of respiratory track are taken through the exhalation air in a bag and analyzed with breath analyzer. Statistical analysis was conducted using Mann-Whitney test.
Results: VOC compound measured include CO2, C7H8, CH2O, NH4, TVOC, NO2, PM1.0, CO, NH3, and Acetone. Analysis between Covid-19 patients and healthy people showed significant differences in all VOC components CO2 (p=0,000), C7H8 (p=0,000), CH2O (p=0,000), NH4 (p=0,001), TVOC (p=0,000), NO2 (p=0,000), PM1.0 (p=0,000), CO (p=0,000), NH3 (P=0,000), Acetone (p=001). Logistic regression analysis was obtained no meaningful influence on each component of the VOC with covid/healthy people conditions of patients with components CO2 (p=1,000), C7H8 (p=1,000), CH2O (p=0,999), NH4 (p=1,000), TVOC (p=1,000), NO2 (p=1,000), PM1.0 (p=0,999), CO (p=0,999), NH3 (P=0,999), Acetone (p=1,000).
Conclusion: There is a significant difference between the VOC results of confirmed COVID 19 patients and healthy people
Keywords: breath analyzer, coronaviruses, COVID-19, healthy people, volatile organic component