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May 1, 2025
A novel breath test developed by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital could revolutionize how bacterial infections are diagnosed and treated. Presented at the ESCMID Global 2025 conference in Vienna, the test uses pathogen-specific metabolic tracers and laser-based technology to detect infections in real time, offering a faster, more accurate alternative to traditional methods.
How It Works
The test identifies infections by analyzing exhaled carbon dioxide (CO₂) linked to bacterial metabolism. When patients receive intravenous doses of ¹³C-enriched compounds like maltose or mannitol-nutrients metabolized exclusively by bacteria-infected individuals exhale detectable ¹³C-labeled CO₂. Healthy individuals and those with sterile inflammation produce no such signal, minimizing false diagnoses.
In preclinical trials, the test successfully distinguished infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and other pathogens in mouse models of pneumonia, osteomyelitis, and myositis. Antibiotic-treated mice showed a rapid decline in ¹³C-CO₂ levels, demonstrating the test’s potential to monitor treatment efficacy.
Key Advantages
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Speed: Results are generated in real time, bypassing hours- or days-long waits for imaging or lab cultures.
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Specificity: Unlike current tools that detect immune responses, the test directly identifies bacterial activity.
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Portability: The laser-based detection system (ICOS) is compact and costs ~$100,000, making it feasible for emergency rooms and intensive care units.
Next Steps
Researchers must confirm that healthy humans do not metabolize the ¹³C tracers before clinical trials. If validated, the test could aid antimicrobial stewardship programs by reducing unnecessary antibiotic use.
“This bridges a critical gap in infection diagnostics,” said lead researcher Dr. Marina Lopez-Alvarez. “We’re moving beyond indirect markers to directly track the pathogen itself.”
Disclaimer: This article is based on research presented at ESCMID Global 2025 and a related press release. Findings are preliminary and not yet peer-reviewed. Clinical efficacy in humans remains unproven.
Source: Medical Xpress (https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-04-bacterial-infections.html)
Reporting by [Your Publication’s Name] Science Desk
Why It Matters: Bacterial infections cause millions of deaths annually, often due to delayed or inaccurate diagnoses. This innovation could transform emergency medicine, particularly for sepsis and antibiotic-resistant infections.
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