Can the detection dog alert on COVID-19 positive persons by sniffing axillary sweat samples? A proof-of-concept study

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243122
• Publication Date: 2020-12-10T19:32:30Z
• Authors: Dominique Grandjean; Riad Sarkis; Clothilde Lecoq-J...; Aymeric Benard; Vinciane Roger; Eric Levesque; Eric Bernes-Luciani; Bruno Maestracci; Pascal Morvan; Eric Gully; David Berceau-Fal...; Pierre Haufstater; Gregory Herin; Joaquin Cabrera; Quentin Muzzin; Capucine Gallet; Hélène Bacqué; Jean-Marie Broc; Leo Thomas; Anthony Lichaa; Georges Moujaes; Michele Saliba; Aurore Kuhn; Mathilde Galey; Benoit Berthail; Lucien Lapeyre; Anthoni Capelli; Steevens Renault; Karim Bachir; Anthony Kovinger; Eric Comas; Aymeric Stainmesse; Erwan Etienne; Sébastien Voeltzel; Sofiane Mansouri; Marlène Berceau-F...; Aimé Dami; Lary Charlet; Eric Ruau; Mario Issa; Carine Grenet; Christophe Billy; Jean-Pierre Tourtier; Loïc Desquilbet
• Keywords: Male; 0301 basic medicine; SARS-CoV-2; Science; Q; [SDV.BA.MVSA] Life Sciences [q-bio]/Animal biology/Veterinary medicine and animal Health; R; COVID-19; Proof of Concept Study; 3. Good health; Smell; 03 medical and health sciences; COVID-19 Testing; Dogs; Working Dogs; Medicine; Animals; Humans; Female; France; Lebanon; Sweat; Research Article

The aim of this proof-of-concept study was to evaluate if trained dogs could discriminate between sweat samples from symptomatic COVID-19 positive individuals (SARS-CoV-2 PCR positive) and those asymptomatic negative individuals. conducted at 2 sites (Paris, France, Beirut, Lebanon), followed the same training testing protocols, involved six detection (three explosive dogs, one search rescue dog, two colon cancer dogs). A total 177 were recruited for (95 82 individuals) five hospitals, underarm sample per individual collected. dog sessions lasted three weeks. Once trained, had mark randomly placed behind or four olfactory cones (the other contained least zero mocks). During session, a be used up maximum times dog. its handler both blinded COVID-positive location. success rate (i.e., number correct indications divided by trials) ranged 76% 100%. lower bound 95% confidence interval estimated most time higher than obtained chance after removing mocks calculations. These results provide some evidence that may able However, due limitations (including using more once potential confounding biases), these must confirmed in validation studies.