Harvard researchers pioneer breath test to spot dangerous clotting early
Scientists at Harvard Medical School have unveiled a novel approach to evaluate the risk of blood clots by analyzing the gas a person inhales. The findings appear in a high-profile materials science journal, opening a new window into how breath can reflect critical bodily processes.
In severe infections, including cases seen with COVID-19, and in sepsis, tiny blood clots can form as part of a larger inflammatory response, a process known as immunothrombosis. Thrombin, a key enzyme in clot formation, plays a central role in this cascade. The new work aims to translate that biology into a practical diagnostic signal that clinicians can monitor without invasive procedures.
The researchers describe a diagnostic technology that measures thrombin levels in exhaled air. By detecting chemical changes associated with thrombin activity in the lungs and airways, the team proposes a real-time readout of clotting risk that could guide treatment decisions early in the disease process.
To achieve this, the team employed branched polymer nanoprobes engineered to include specific thrombin binding sites. When exposed to thrombin, these probes produce measurable signals that can be detected in breath samples. The approach has shown promising results in animal models, demonstrating a proof of concept that breath-based thrombin detection is feasible in living organisms.
At present, no method exists for early, noninvasive detection of immunothrombosis in a living person. The animal data provide a foundation for translating this technique into clinical practice, with the potential to enable real-time monitoring of thrombin levels. Such capability could allow clinicians to intervene sooner, tailoring therapies to reduce the risk of organ failure and improve outcomes for patients with sepsis or severe respiratory infections, including COVID-19.
Experts in the field say that early identification of immunothrombosis, followed by timely intervention, could shift the trajectory of serious infections by preventing progression to multi-organ damage and by making treatment more convenient for patients. This line of work reinforces a broader effort to use breath analysis as a noninvasive window into complex physiological processes, offering a complementary tool alongside traditional blood tests and imaging techniques. (Harvard Medical School research briefing)
As research progresses, scientists anticipate refining the sensitivity of the breath-based readout, validating findings across more extensive animal studies, and eventually conducting carefully designed human trials. The goal is a safe, reliable, point-of-care test that clinicians can deploy quickly in hospital settings or at the bedside. If successful, this technology could become part of routine screening for patients at high risk of severe inflammatory responses, guiding early therapeutic choices and potentially saving lives.
In summary, the Harvard team has taken a meaningful step toward noninvasive, real-time assessment of thrombin activity via exhaled breath. By combining targeted nanoprobes with breath analysis, the approach seeks to transform how immunothrombosis and related inflammatory processes are detected and treated, offering new hope for the millions affected by sepsis and severe COVID-19 worldwide.