Dubai Trials Potential COVID-19 Breath Test

Dubai is conducting trials for a potential COVID-19 test, Breathonix, that uses a breath sample to detect the virus. The aim is to offer a faster alternative to the more comfortable nasal PCR.

The joint clinical trial is being carried out by Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai Health Authority and Breathonix, the company that developed the test.

The potential test works by measuring and analysing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) biomarkers which are indications if the immune system is fighting a specific disease, in the sample and gives results within one minute.

#MBRU, @DHA_Dubai and @breathonix are currently carrying out a joint clinical trial to assess the accuracy of an easy-to-use breath test to detect #COVID19 within 60 seconds. Find more: https://t.co/p5YRGKeAn1 pic.twitter.com/L7P3K8n1aj

— MBRU (@MBRUniversity) March 14, 2021

A would have to patient exhale into a disposable one-way valve mouthpiece.

The rapid test will be trialled on 2,500 patients at Nadd Al Hamar primary health care centre with the aim of assessing the its accuracy.

Dr Hussain Al Samt, director of Pathology and Genetics at DHA, said that, if found to be accurate enough, the test could "drastically improve diagnostics and care for Covid-19 patients".

Image Souce: Twitter MBRU