Device sniffs out stomach bugs

OdoReader, developed by Prof Chris Probert from Bristol University and Norman Ratcliffe from the University of the West of England, rapidly diagnoses Clostridium difficile by ‘reading’ the odour of stool samples.

Clostridium difficile may cause severe diarrhoea, especially among hospitalised patients.

With the help of University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, the technology enables gasses emitted from faeces to be analysed in less than an hour, leading to a rapid and inexpensive diagnosis.

Such early detection could reap real health benefits for millions of people and help prevent the spread of infectious disease.

Gastro-intestinal diseases afflict more than four billion adults and children each year.

Delays in diagnosis can lead to patients being ill for longer, some may die, many will cost more to treat and infections may spread to other people.

In England and Wales there are more than 50,000 cases of Clostridium difficile each year: this infection prolongs hospitalisation, is associated with high morbidity and mortality and costs the NHS £200m annually.