Assessment of Imprecision in gamma interferon release assays for the detection of exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

New gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) release assays (IGRAs) to detect an exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis have recently been launched. The majority of the studies in temperate-climate countries agree that these methods have superior specificity and equal or even superior sensitivity over tuberculin skin tests (TSTs) in the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis (TB) infection (LTBI). However, reproducibility data of IGRAs are virtually missing.

Fourier-transformed infrared breath testing after ingestion of technical alcohol.

The study aim was to evaluate the feasibility of a Fourier-transformed infrared (FT-IR) analyzer for out-of-laboratory use by screening the exhalations of inebriated individuals, and to determine analysis quality using common breath components and solvents. Each of the 35 inebriated participants gave an acceptable sample. Because of the metabolism of 2-propanol, the subjects exhaled high concentrations of acetone in addition to ethanol.

Effect of eight solvents on ethanol analysis by Dräger 7110 Evidential breath analyzer.

The Dräger 7110 MK III FIN Evidential breath analyzer is classified as a quantitative analyzer capable to provide sufficient evidence for establishing legal intoxication. The purpose of this study was to evaluate ethanol specificity of this instrument in the presence of other solvents. Effects of eight possible interfering compounds on ethanol analysis were determined in a procedure simulating a human breathing.

Screening of exhaled breath by low-resolution multicomponent FT-IR spectrometry in patients attending emergency departments.

Interest in noninvasive methods for disease diagnosis is increasing. In this study, we tested the utility and potential of a portable Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) multicomponent analyzer in the emergency rooms (ERs) of two Finnish hospitals. Major detected breath volatiles in this population were ethanol, carbon monoxide, methane, and acetone, in addition to carbon dioxide and water.