Electronic nose versus quadrupole mass spectrometry for identifying viral hepatitis C patients.

Hepatitis C is a leading cause of liver disease and transplantation and is a significant burden on public health worldwide. This study aimed to apply the Electronic Nose (E-Nose) and quadrupole Mass Spectrometry (MS/MS) technologies for screening blood samples from hepatitis C patients and healthy controls. We analysed volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the headspace over blood samples to identify those VOCs characteristic for diagnosing hepatitis C patients.