Exhaled Breath Condensate (EBC) Analysis: Latest Non-Invasive Practical Methods For Diagnosing Athopic Dermatitis And Monitoring Response To Corticosteroid Therapy

Abstract

Background Patch tests and blood tests are the most commonly used methods for diagnosing atopic dermatitis. However, these methods are invasive and time-consuming, hence limit their benefits. The practical and non-invasive method with a high level of sensitivity and specificity is required to find specific biomarkers as a novel method in diagnosing atopic dermatitis.   Methods A search was conducted in Google Scholar, PubMed, and SAGE. Inclusion criteria were the following: English literature, using experimental methods, and clinical studies. The keywords used in the search were "exhaled condensate" OR "EBC" AND "breath metabolism" OR "respiration" AND "electronic nose" OR "E-nose" OR "enose" AND "atopic dermatitis" OR "eczema" OR "atopic" OR "atopy" OR "atopic".   Results The breathomics concept included detection of changes in the profile of exhaled breath condensates (EBC) or volatile organic compounds (VOC) in the exhaled breath. Specific biomarkers were found during gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis on EBC: an increase in NO, IL-4, leukotrienes, and 8-isoprostane, as well as a decrease in IFN-Æ” and pH of EBC which were strong indications in diagnosing atopic dermatitis and monitoring the response to corticosteroid therapy in patients.   Conclusion EBC-specific biomarker analysis is a practical and non-invasive method with high sensitivity and specificity. This method may assist clinicians to diagnose atopic dermatitis and monitor the response to corticosteroid therapy, particularly in a mass clinical setting.