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Electronic noses and disease diagnostics

Nature Reviews Microbiology volume 2, pages 161–166 (2004)Cite this article

Abstract

Rapid developments in sensor technology have facilitated the production of devices — known as electronic noses — that can detect and discriminate the production profiles of volatile compounds from microbial infections in situ. Such qualitative and semi-quantitative approaches could have a significant role in the early diagnosis and detection of microbial diseases. Using artificial intelligence and web-based knowledge systems, electronic noses might also have a valuable role in monitoring disease epidemiology.

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Figure 1: Electronic nose devices mimic the human olfactory system.
Figure 2: Examples of infection discrimination using electronic nose devices.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of BioScience and Technology, Cranfield University, Silsoe, Bedford, MK45 4DT, UK

    Anthony P.F. Turner & Naresh Magan

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  1. Anthony P.F. Turner
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  2. Naresh Magan
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Correspondence to Naresh Magan.

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Turner, A., Magan, N. Electronic noses and disease diagnostics. Nat Rev Microbiol 2, 161–166 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrmicro823

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