Our sense of self is a constantly evolving concept. Just as characters in the series Bridgerton undergo significant transformations – like Penelope, who transitions from a social outcast to a celebrated author – our internal microbial communities are also in flux.
Similar to how Penelope changes, our gut microbiota also evolves. According to the University of Trento, infants in daycare share between 15% and 20% of their gut bacteria after just one month, and between 12% and 30% with their families, in addition to their individual microbial contributions. Close proximity creates a unique microbial fingerprint characteristic of each stage of life, depending on who we interact with. This research highlights the interconnectedness of our microbial ecosystems and their potential impact on health.
How can we understand this microbial fingerprint? Through our breath. The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia notes that during digestion, some compounds cannot be fully processed and are released as volatile organic compounds through our breath. Other components are routed to the intestinal tract and eventually eliminated.
By comparing the molecules exhaled in breath and those present in fecal matter, it’s possible to detect compounds linked to health issues. A study by Washington University of Medicine in St. Louis and the Philadelphia hospital measured molecule levels in the breath of 41 children, identifying Eubacterium siraeum.
For those unfamiliar with microorganisms, Eubacterium siraeum is a bacterium associated with asthma. It appears in the gut flora of children who develop the condition and can worsen its severity once it’s present. Identifying this bacterium could be valuable for preventative measures before asthma develops.
While the study is promising, co-author Hernández-Leyva noted that “one of the main barriers to integrating our knowledge of the microbiome into clinical care is the time it takes to analyze microbiome data,” as bacteria produce over 250 molecules throughout their lifespan. This complexity presents a challenge for rapid and accurate diagnosis.
Despite this challenge, breath-based disease detection could create a new branch of non-invasive diagnostics. This approach would be particularly useful for vulnerable patients, such as those with compromised immune systems, infants, and the elderly. Once an alteration is identified, dietary or medication adjustments could potentially prevent disease.
The hope is that, in the not-too-distant future, a device capable of identifying diseases through breath analysis will become a reality.
