Review article

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2013.034

Exhaled breath condensate – from an analytical point of view

Slavica Dodig orcid.org/0000-0002-3419-5171 ; Department of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis, Srebrnjak Children’s Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia
Ivana Čepelak ; Department of Medical Biochemistry and Hematology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Over the past three decades, the goal of many researchers is analysis of exhaled breath condensate (EBC) as noninvasively obtained sample. A total quality in laboratory diagnostic processes in EBC analysis was investigated: pre-analytical (formation, collection, storage of EBC), analytical (sensitivity of applied methods, standardization) and post-analytical (interpretation of results) phases. EBC analysis is still used as a research tool. Limitations referred to pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical phases of EBC analysis are numerous, e.g. low concentrations of EBC constituents, single-analyte methods lack in sensitivity, and multi-analyte has not been fully explored, and reference values are not established. When all, pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical requirements are met, EBC biomarkers as well as biomarker patterns can be selected and EBC analysis can hopefully be used in clinical practice, in both, the diagnosis and in the longitudinal follow-up of patients, resulting in better outcome of disease.

Keywords

exhaled breath condensate; analysis; preanalytical phase; respiratory diseases

Hrčak ID:

109243

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/109243

Publication date:

15.10.2013.

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