Diagnostic Breath Analysis for Detection of Ventilator Acquired Pneumonia (VAP)

On clinical suspicion of VAP, breath samples will be collected from the expiratory limb of the patient's ventilator tubing circuit. A sterile Tedlar collection bag will be used to connect to the sample port and collect the breath sample. The expiratory limb sample port will be utilized to ensure maintenance of the integrity of the ventilator circuitry. The breath samples will be analyzed via the ZNose breath analysis system.

Immediately following collection of breath samples, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) will be collected and subjected to bacteriology testing for confirmation of VAP-positive and VAP-negative patients.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients ≥ 48 hours of ventilation with suspected VAP infection. Suspicion of VAP infection based on clinical evaluation criteria:

• Three or more positive out of the following:

• Tympanic temperature > 38 °C or < 35.5 °C
• Blood leukocytosis (10,000/µl)
• More than ten leukocytes in Gram stain of tracheal aspirate (in high-flow field)
• Positive culture of tracheal aspirate
• New, persistent, or progressive infiltrate on chest radiograph

Exclusion criteria

Patients with pre-existing structural lung disease (COPD, asthma, lung cancer, etc.), thrombocytopenia (< 40,000/µL) and other coagulation abnormalities.