Profiling of volatile organic compounds produced by clinical Aspergillus isolates using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

• Published in: Medical mycology (Oxford) Vol. 56; no. 2; p. 253
• Main Authors: Gerritsen, M G, Brinkman, P, Escobar, N, Bos, L D, de Heer, K, Meijer, M, Janssen, H-G, de Cock, H, Wösten, H A B, Visser, C E, van Oers, M H J, Sterk, P J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.02.2018
• Subjects: Aspergillus - classification; Aspergillus - isolation & purification; Aspergillus - metabolism; Breath Tests; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Humans; Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis - diagnosis; Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis - physiopathology; Volatile Organic Compounds - chemistry; Aspergillus; headspace analysis; gas chromatography-mass spectrometry; exhaled breath analysis; invasive pulmonary aspergillosis
• ISSN: 1460-2709
• DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myx035

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in exhaled breath may identify the presence of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. We aimed to detect VOC profiles emitted by in vitro cultured, clinical Aspergillus isolates using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Three clinical Aspergillus isolates and a reference strain were cultured while conidiation was prevented. Headspace samples were analyzed using a standardized method. Breath samples of patients from which the cultures were obtained were checked for the presence of the VOCs found in vitro. Each Aspergillus isolate produced a distinct VOC profile. These profiles could not be confirmed in exhaled breath in vivo.