The current global epidemic of pulmonary tuberculosis has highlighted the need for new screening tests that are rapid and accurate. The social burden of pulmonary tuberculosis has increased because many patients are also infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and the rates of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis are However, screening technology has not changed greatly during the past several decades. Many highburden countries depend upon sputum smears and chest radiographs, supplemented by cultures when resources permit. This approach is highly specific for active pulmonary tuberculosis, but its value in primary screening is limited by low sensitivity and high cost. We tested the hypothesis that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the breath might provide new biomarkers of active pulmonary.
