Stool Samples Provide Marker for Bowel Disease
By LabMedica International staff writers Posted on 08 Apr 2014 |
![Image: The SRI 8610C gas chromatograph (Photo courtesy of SRI Instruments). Image: The SRI 8610C gas chromatograph (Photo courtesy of SRI Instruments).](https://globetechcdn.com/mobile_labmedica/images/stories/articles/article_images/2014-04-08/RLJ-090.jpg)
Image: The SRI 8610C gas chromatograph (Photo courtesy of SRI Instruments).
A novel method for distinguishing different types of bowel disease using the stool samples of patients has been created which is an ideal noninvasive testing method for the diagnosis of gastro-intestinal diseases.
The method works by analyzing the chemical compounds emitted from the samples and could provide cheaper, quicker and more accurate diagnoses, at the point of care, for a group of diseases that have up until recently been very hard to differentiate.
Scientists at the University of the West of England (Bristol, UK) obtained 182 stool samples from patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) between October 2010 and October 2011. IBS samples were obtained from patients with diarrhea predominant (IBS-D), constipation predominant (IBS-C), and the alternating between the two syndrome (IBS-A). IBD samples were obtained from patients with both ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). Control samples were collected from healthy patients.
The test was based on the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from their stool samples, which act as a proxy for conditions in the gastrointestinal tract and provide a unique profile, or fingerprint, for the different bowel diseases. The investigators developed the method using an SRI 8610C gas chromatograph (SRI Instruments, Torrance, CA, USA) coupled to a metal oxide sensor system with pattern recognition software.
The results showed that patients with IBD could be distinguished from healthy controls with an accuracy of 79%. The method was able to distinguish IBD from IBS with an accuracy of 76%. Differentiating patients with IBS from healthy controls using VOCs appeared to be more difficult and could only be achieved with an accuracy of 54%. The reasons could be because IBS is a functional disorder as opposed to a structural disorder, so the changes in composition of VOCs in the stool samples would not be as great, producing a very similar pattern to healthy controls.
In conclusion, the authors stated that: “Our work has demonstrated that a low-cost device based on VOC analysis could be used to potentially diagnose, and differentiate, IBS and IBD at the point of care. We will continue to study fecal volatiles as a way of detecting IBS, IBD and other gastrointestinal conditions and continue to develop our techniques further. If we're able to produce results that exceed current commercial methods, then our technique could be added to the growing number of medical tests that use VOC analysis as a diagnostic tool.” The study was published on March 27, 2014, in the Journal of Breath Research.
Related Links:
University of the West of England
SRI Instruments
The method works by analyzing the chemical compounds emitted from the samples and could provide cheaper, quicker and more accurate diagnoses, at the point of care, for a group of diseases that have up until recently been very hard to differentiate.
Scientists at the University of the West of England (Bristol, UK) obtained 182 stool samples from patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) between October 2010 and October 2011. IBS samples were obtained from patients with diarrhea predominant (IBS-D), constipation predominant (IBS-C), and the alternating between the two syndrome (IBS-A). IBD samples were obtained from patients with both ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). Control samples were collected from healthy patients.
The test was based on the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from their stool samples, which act as a proxy for conditions in the gastrointestinal tract and provide a unique profile, or fingerprint, for the different bowel diseases. The investigators developed the method using an SRI 8610C gas chromatograph (SRI Instruments, Torrance, CA, USA) coupled to a metal oxide sensor system with pattern recognition software.
The results showed that patients with IBD could be distinguished from healthy controls with an accuracy of 79%. The method was able to distinguish IBD from IBS with an accuracy of 76%. Differentiating patients with IBS from healthy controls using VOCs appeared to be more difficult and could only be achieved with an accuracy of 54%. The reasons could be because IBS is a functional disorder as opposed to a structural disorder, so the changes in composition of VOCs in the stool samples would not be as great, producing a very similar pattern to healthy controls.
In conclusion, the authors stated that: “Our work has demonstrated that a low-cost device based on VOC analysis could be used to potentially diagnose, and differentiate, IBS and IBD at the point of care. We will continue to study fecal volatiles as a way of detecting IBS, IBD and other gastrointestinal conditions and continue to develop our techniques further. If we're able to produce results that exceed current commercial methods, then our technique could be added to the growing number of medical tests that use VOC analysis as a diagnostic tool.” The study was published on March 27, 2014, in the Journal of Breath Research.
Related Links:
University of the West of England
SRI Instruments
Latest Technology News
- Microneedle Patch Detects Skin Cancer Early
- New Diagnostic System Achieves PCR Testing Accuracy
- DNA Biosensor Enables Early Diagnosis of Cervical Cancer
- Self-Heating Microfluidic Devices Can Detect Diseases in Tiny Blood or Fluid Samples
- Breakthrough in Diagnostic Technology Could Make On-The-Spot Testing Widely Accessible
- First of Its Kind Technology Detects Glucose in Human Saliva
- Electrochemical Device Identifies People at Higher Risk for Osteoporosis Using Single Blood Drop
- Novel Noninvasive Test Detects Malaria Infection without Blood Sample
- Portable Optofluidic Sensing Devices Could Simultaneously Perform Variety of Medical Tests
- Point-of-Care Software Solution Helps Manage Disparate POCT Scenarios across Patient Testing Locations
- Electronic Biosensor Detects Biomarkers in Whole Blood Samples without Addition of Reagents
- Breakthrough Test Detects Biological Markers Related to Wider Variety of Cancers
- Rapid POC Sensing Kit to Determine Gut Health from Blood Serum and Stool Samples
- Device Converts Smartphone into Fluorescence Microscope for Just USD 50
Channels
Molecular Diagnostics
view channel![Image: The HelioLiver Dx test has met the coprimary and secondary study endpoints in the CLiMB trial (Photo courtesy of Helio Genomics) Image: The HelioLiver Dx test has met the coprimary and secondary study endpoints in the CLiMB trial (Photo courtesy of Helio Genomics)](https://globetechcdn.com/mobile_labmedica/images/stories/articles/article_images/2024-06-14/2024_Doctor-Holding-Kit.jpg)
Blood-Based Test Outperforms Ultrasound in Early Liver Cancer Detection
Patients with liver cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis B are at a higher risk for developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most prevalent type of liver cancer. The American Association for the Study... Read more![Image: The cobas liat SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A/B & RSV nucleic acid test runs on the cobas liat system (Photo courtesy of Roche) Image: The cobas liat SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A/B & RSV nucleic acid test runs on the cobas liat system (Photo courtesy of Roche)](https://globetechcdn.com/mobile_labmedica/images/stories/articles/article_images/2024-06-13/image-media-info-cobas-liat-system-tube.jpg)
Four-In-One Molecular Test Detects and Differentiates Among Most Prevalent Respiratory Viruses in 20 Minutes
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that respiratory diseases in the United States reached high levels during the recent autumn and winter seasons, with SARS-CoV-2 leading... Read more![Image: Screening for prostate cancer with first-line MRI is less cost-effective than first-line PSA testing (Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock) Image: Screening for prostate cancer with first-line MRI is less cost-effective than first-line PSA testing (Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock)](https://globetechcdn.com/mobile_labmedica/images/stories/articles/article_images/2024-06-12/AdobeStock_480745598 (1).jpeg)
First-Line PSA Testing More Cost-Effective Than First-Line MRI for Prostate Cancer Screening
Current prostate cancer (PCa) screening protocols typically begin with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing, which, if elevated, may lead to further assessment using multiparametric magnetic resonance... Read more![Image: The Olink Explore platform can identify proteins in blood that may provide a 7-year warning for various cancers (Photo courtesy of Olink Holding) Image: The Olink Explore platform can identify proteins in blood that may provide a 7-year warning for various cancers (Photo courtesy of Olink Holding)](https://globetechcdn.com/mobile_labmedica/images/stories/articles/article_images/2024-06-11/proteomics-and-transcriptomics-1000x563.jpg)
Proteomics Platform Identifies Proteins in Blood to Give Cancer Warning 7 Years before Diagnosis
To improve cancer survival rates, it's crucial to understand the disease during its initial stages. Research involving data from thousands of cancer patients has uncovered exciting findings about how blood... Read moreHematology
view channel![Image: The CAPILLARYS 3 DBS devices have received U.S. FDA 510(k) clearance (Photo courtesy of Sebia) Image: The CAPILLARYS 3 DBS devices have received U.S. FDA 510(k) clearance (Photo courtesy of Sebia)](https://globetechcdn.com/mobile_labmedica/images/stories/articles/article_images/2024-04-09/C3_DBS_Website.2.jpg)
Next Generation Instrument Screens for Hemoglobin Disorders in Newborns
Hemoglobinopathies, the most widespread inherited conditions globally, affect about 7% of the population as carriers, with 2.7% of newborns being born with these conditions. The spectrum of clinical manifestations... Read more![Image: The Procleix ArboPlex Assay has received the CE mark (Photo courtesy of Grifols) Image: The Procleix ArboPlex Assay has received the CE mark (Photo courtesy of Grifols)](https://globetechcdn.com/mobile_labmedica/images/stories/articles/article_images/2024-04-08/donor-testing-1.jpg)
First 4-in-1 Nucleic Acid Test for Arbovirus Screening to Reduce Risk of Transfusion-Transmitted Infections
Arboviruses represent an emerging global health threat, exacerbated by climate change and increased international travel that is facilitating their spread across new regions. Chikungunya, dengue, West... Read more![Image: The low-cost portable device rapidly identifies chemotherapy patients at risk of sepsis (Photo courtesy of 52North Health) Image: The low-cost portable device rapidly identifies chemotherapy patients at risk of sepsis (Photo courtesy of 52North Health)](https://globetechcdn.com/mobile_labmedica/images/stories/articles/article_images/2024-03-20/news-7.jpg)
POC Finger-Prick Blood Test Determines Risk of Neutropenic Sepsis in Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy
Neutropenia, a decrease in neutrophils (a type of white blood cell crucial for fighting infections), is a frequent side effect of certain cancer treatments. This condition elevates the risk of infections,... Read more![Image: The Gazelle Hb Variant Test (Photo courtesy of Hemex Health) Image: The Gazelle Hb Variant Test (Photo courtesy of Hemex Health)](https://globetechcdn.com/mobile_labmedica/images/stories/articles/article_images/2024-02-08/inserting-hb-variant-cartridge.jpg)
First Affordable and Rapid Test for Beta Thalassemia Demonstrates 99% Diagnostic Accuracy
Hemoglobin disorders rank as some of the most prevalent monogenic diseases globally. Among various hemoglobin disorders, beta thalassemia, a hereditary blood disorder, affects about 1.5% of the world's... Read moreImmunology
view channel![Image: The AI tool predicts whether someone’s cancer will respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors (Photo courtesy of National Cancer Institute) Image: The AI tool predicts whether someone’s cancer will respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors (Photo courtesy of National Cancer Institute)](https://globetechcdn.com/mobile_labmedica/images/stories/articles/article_images/2024-06-05/Surgical oncology 43 (1).jpg)
AI Tool Predicts Cancer Patients’ Response to Immunotherapy
Immune checkpoint inhibitors are a form of immunotherapy drug that enables immune cells to target and destroy cancer cells. At present, the Food and Drug Administration has approved two predictive biomarkers... Read more![Image: Initially aimed at children with high-risk cancers, ZERO now includes all young cancer patients in Australia (Photo courtesy of Zero Childhood Cancer) Image: Initially aimed at children with high-risk cancers, ZERO now includes all young cancer patients in Australia (Photo courtesy of Zero Childhood Cancer)](https://globetechcdn.com/mobile_labmedica/images/stories/articles/article_images/2024-06-03/906uv0fs34hr.jpg)
Molecular Profiling Improves Diagnosis for Children with High Risk Cancers
Cancer remains the leading cause of disease-related death among children in most developed nations, and approximately one-fourth of these patients are diagnosed with aggressive, high-risk, or relapsed... Read moreMicrobiology
view channel![Image: The POC PCR test shortens time for STI test results (Photo courtesy of Visby Medical) Image: The POC PCR test shortens time for STI test results (Photo courtesy of Visby Medical)](https://globetechcdn.com/mobile_labmedica/images/stories/articles/article_images/2024-06-05/device-front.jpg)
POC STI Test Shortens Time from ED Arrival to Test Results
In a 2024 sexually transmitted infections (STIs) surveillance report by the World Health Organization (WHO), over 2.5 million cases were recorded, alongside a rise in the inappropriate use of antibiotics... Read more![Image: The T-SPOT.TB test is now paired with the Auto-Pure 2400 liquid handling platform for accurate TB testing (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock) Image: The T-SPOT.TB test is now paired with the Auto-Pure 2400 liquid handling platform for accurate TB testing (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)](https://globetechcdn.com/mobile_labmedica/images/stories/articles/article_images/2024-05-08/shutterstock_1065839396.jpg)
Integrated Solution Ushers New Era of Automated Tuberculosis Testing
Tuberculosis (TB) is responsible for 1.3 million deaths every year, positioning it as one of the top killers globally due to a single infectious agent. In 2022, around 10.6 million people were diagnosed... Read more![Image: The ASTar System has received US FDA 510(k) clearance (Photo courtesy of Q-linea AB) Image: The ASTar System has received US FDA 510(k) clearance (Photo courtesy of Q-linea AB)](https://globetechcdn.com/mobile_labmedica/images/stories/articles/article_images/2024-05-07/ASTar_ft-1-700x494.jpg)
Automated Sepsis Test System Enables Rapid Diagnosis for Patients with Severe Bloodstream Infections
Sepsis affects up to 50 million people globally each year, with bacteraemia, formerly known as blood poisoning, being a major cause. In the United States alone, approximately two million individuals are... Read more![Image: The ePlex system has been rebranded as the cobas eplex system (Photo courtesy of Roche) Image: The ePlex system has been rebranded as the cobas eplex system (Photo courtesy of Roche)](https://globetechcdn.com/mobile_labmedica/images/stories/articles/article_images/2024-05-02/cobas-eplex-in-copy-image_2.jpg)
Enhanced Rapid Syndromic Molecular Diagnostic Solution Detects Broad Range of Infectious Diseases
GenMark Diagnostics (Carlsbad, CA, USA), a member of the Roche Group (Basel, Switzerland), has rebranded its ePlex® system as the cobas eplex system. This rebranding under the globally renowned cobas name... Read morePathology
view channel![Image: The Hairpin Duplex Enhanced Fidelity Sequencing (HiDEF-seq) could reveal the causes of mutations (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock) Image: The Hairpin Duplex Enhanced Fidelity Sequencing (HiDEF-seq) could reveal the causes of mutations (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)](https://globetechcdn.com/mobile_labmedica/images/stories/articles/article_images/2024-06-14/shutterstock_447424987.jpg)
New Technique Reveals Earliest Signs of Genetic Mutations
Mutations are alterations in the molecular "letters" that constitute the DNA code, which serves as the blueprint for all living cells. While some of these changes may be inconsequential, others can lead... Read more![Image: Diff-Quik stained smear from lung FNAB (Photo courtesy of Guoping Cai, Darin Dolezal, Ivana Kholová) Image: Diff-Quik stained smear from lung FNAB (Photo courtesy of Guoping Cai, Darin Dolezal, Ivana Kholová)](https://globetechcdn.com/mobile_labmedica/images/stories/articles/article_images/2024-06-13/Low-Res_jctp-23-68-g005.jpg)
New WHO Reporting System for Lung Cytopathology to Enhance Diagnostic Accuracy
Lung cancer continues to be the most common cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide and ranks as the second most frequently diagnosed cancer in both men and women. The role of lung cytopathology, which... Read more![Image: Three of 46 histomorphological phenotype clusters in small block tiles identified by AI from images of cancerous lung tissue (Photo courtesy of Dr. N. Coudray/NYU Grossman School of Medicine) Image: Three of 46 histomorphological phenotype clusters in small block tiles identified by AI from images of cancerous lung tissue (Photo courtesy of Dr. N. Coudray/NYU Grossman School of Medicine)](https://globetechcdn.com/mobile_labmedica/images/stories/articles/article_images/2024-06-12/inline_Untitled-3.jpg)
Self-Taught AI Tool Diagnoses and Predicts Severity of Common Lung Cancer
A computer program powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and trained on nearly half a million tissue images can effectively diagnose cases of adenocarcinoma, the most prevalent type of lung cancer.... Read more![Image: The new AI-powered statistics method has the potential to improve tissue and disease research (Photo courtesy of 123RF) Image: The new AI-powered statistics method has the potential to improve tissue and disease research (Photo courtesy of 123RF)](https://globetechcdn.com/mobile_labmedica/images/stories/articles/article_images/2024-06-11/17907939_m_normal_none_1.jpg)
Novel AI-Powered Method for Tissue Analysis Improves Understanding of Disease Pathology
Scientists at Brown University (Providence, RI, USA) and the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI, USA) have created a groundbreaking computational technique to examine complex tissue data, potentially... Read moreTechnology
view channel![Image: Illustration of the microneedle patch (Photo courtesy of Karolinska Institutet) Image: Illustration of the microneedle patch (Photo courtesy of Karolinska Institutet)](https://globetechcdn.com/mobile_labmedica/images/stories/articles/article_images/2024-06-05/plaster_custom20240529112158.jpg)
Microneedle Patch Detects Skin Cancer Early
Wearable bioelectronics has emerged as a significant innovation in healthcare, especially in the field of biosensing, providing a new method to monitor individual health for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.... Read more![Image: The nanopore optofluidic chip used in the new diagnostic system (Photo courtesy of UC Santa Cruz) Image: The nanopore optofluidic chip used in the new diagnostic system (Photo courtesy of UC Santa Cruz)](https://globetechcdn.com/mobile_labmedica/images/stories/articles/article_images/2024-04-09/new-diagnostic-tool-ac.jpg)
New Diagnostic System Achieves PCR Testing Accuracy
While PCR tests are the gold standard of accuracy for virology testing, they come with limitations such as complexity, the need for skilled lab operators, and longer result times. They also require complex... Read moreIndustry
view channel![Image: For 46 years, Roche and Hitachi have collaborated to deliver innovative diagnostic solutions (Photo courtesy of Roche) Image: For 46 years, Roche and Hitachi have collaborated to deliver innovative diagnostic solutions (Photo courtesy of Roche)](https://globetechcdn.com/mobile_labmedica/images/stories/articles/article_images/2024-05-28/download.jpg)
Roche and Hitachi High-Tech Extend 46-Year Partnership for Breakthroughs in Diagnostic Testing
Roche (Basel, Switzerland) and Hitachi High-Tech (Tokyo, Japan) have renewed their collaboration agreement, committing to a further 10 years of partnership. This extension brings together their long-standing... Read more![Image: Scientists will evaluate new blood-based biomarkers using highly sensitive technology (Photo courtesy of 123RF) Image: Scientists will evaluate new blood-based biomarkers using highly sensitive technology (Photo courtesy of 123RF)](https://globetechcdn.com/mobile_labmedica/images/stories/articles/article_images/2024-05-13/103048801_m_normal_none.jpg)
Danaher and Johns Hopkins University Collaborate to Improve Neurological Diagnosis
Unlike severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), mild TBI often does not show clear correlations with abnormalities detected through head computed tomography (CT) scans. Consequently, there is a pressing need... Read more![Image: Beckman Coulter is now an authorized distributor of the MeMed Key immunoassay system and MeMed BV assay (Photo courtesy of Beckman Coulter) Image: Beckman Coulter is now an authorized distributor of the MeMed Key immunoassay system and MeMed BV assay (Photo courtesy of Beckman Coulter)](https://globetechcdn.com/mobile_labmedica/images/stories/articles/article_images/2024-05-09/PR_partnership_with_Beckman_Coulter_v1_2.jpg)
Beckman Coulter and MeMed Expand Host Immune Response Diagnostics Partnership
Beckman Coulter Diagnostics (Brea, CA, USA) and MeMed BV (Haifa, Israel) have expanded their host immune response diagnostics partnership. Beckman Coulter is now an authorized distributor of the MeMed... Read more![Image: Thermo Fisher will distribute Bio-Techne products across Europe (Photo courtesy of 123RF) Image: Thermo Fisher will distribute Bio-Techne products across Europe (Photo courtesy of 123RF)](https://globetechcdn.com/mobile_labmedica/images/stories/articles/article_images/2024-05-01/130140677_m_normal_none (1)_1.jpg)