Page 79 - Abstract Book KONIKA 18

Infection & Tropical Diseases

O-ITD-007
Breath Derived Volatile Organic Compound Profiling Performed by Electronic
Nose (GeNose C19) as Potential Fast, Cheap, and Non-invasive Screening Tool
for Children with Suspected COVID-19

Dicki Iman Ginanjar, Amalia Setyati, Dian K. Nurputra
Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta,
Central Java, Indonesia

Abstract
Background During COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia, children become the vulnerable group where the
mortality considered to be highest in world. Yet, invasiveness of RT-qPCR examination on nasopharyngeal
swab made harder to perform fast and massive screening. Alternative screening tool utilizing surrogate
biomarker is necessary. Objective To evaluate the ability of GeNose C19 to depict breath-derived-VOC
pattern in children with COVID-19 and clarify its potency as screening tool. Methods Cross-sectional design
was used. This study was a initial part of larger diagnostic study involving 1500-2000 subjects. Individuals,
suspected of having COVID-19 based on symptoms and history of close contact with confirmed cases, which
came to designated health facilities were enrolled. Breath-samples were taken two times in two-days and
then confirmed for their RT-qPCR examination using naso-oropharyngeal swab samples. Results Thirty
children age 5-17 years old were enrolled in this 1st phase (profiling) study. Most of them are asymptomatic
(24 out of 30). Seven patients were confirmed as positive COVID-19 and 23 were negative by RT-qPCR.
Among 7 positive patients, GeNose C19 examination showed 6 positive breath-print. While from 23 negative
COVID-19, it showed 22 negative breath-print, suggesting a preliminary performance of 85% in sensitivity
and 95% in specificity. Gas chromatography analysis showed the increase proportion of ethyl-butanoate,
which was reported to be one of VOC biomarkers of COVID-19. Diagnostic study is now undergoing to
confirm GeNose C19 performance further. Conclusion Breath-derived VOC analysis by GeNose C19 may
play potential role as fast and non-invasive screening tools for children with suspected COVID-19.
Keywords: electronic nose; GeNose; COVID-19; children

O-ITD-008
Allergies in Children with Recurrence Helminths Infection
1
Masitah Nasution , Gema Nazri Yanni , Yunnie Trisnawati , Aridamuriany D. Lubis , Ferryan Sofyan , Inke
1
2
1
1
Nadia D. Lubis 1
1
Department of Child Health and Department of Otorhinolaryngology , Medical Faculty, Universitas Sumatera Utara,
2
Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia
Abstract
Background Hygiene hypothesis explains that early childhood exposure to certain microorganisms can protect
against allergic diseases. Geohelminths infection is one of the infections that has potential to protect against
allergic reactions. Objective To determine the role of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infection in allergic
reactions based on the results of SPT test in children. Methods The study was conducted from January 2019
to March 2021. Forty-five elementary school-aged children in Mandailing Natal Regency who experienced
recurrence STH infections based on Kato Katz examination every four months were subjected to skin prick
tests at the end of study and interviews to assess allergic history and incidence. Sampling was done by quota
sampling technique. Statistical assessment was carried out by Chi-square test. Results A total of 33 children
(73.3%) had negative results on SPT examination and all of them did not have allergies history themselves
and others family members. The most common allergens that causes allergic reactions are D. pteronyssinus,
A. cockroach, cow's milk, and B. tropicalis. Conclusion Recurrence STH infection can be a protective factor
against allergic reactions in children
Keywords: children; allergies; soil transmitted helminths; skin prick test

KONIKA XVIII Abstract Book 33