Detecting diseases through body odor? New laser technology shows potential for non-invasive diagnostics

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Researchers from Fraunhofer IIS and the Technical University of Dresden tested laser-based photoacoustic spectroscopy to detect disease-related compounds in body swabs. An initial study found differences between samples from healthy people and those with Parkinson’s disease, COVID-19, and other illnesses, suggesting potential for preliminary non-invasive screening.

Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS and the Technical University of Dresden have tested a new approach for investigating disease-related changes in body odor. Using laser-based photoacoustic spectroscopy, they analyzed volatile organic compounds in simple body swabs. An initial study revealed differences between samples from healthy individuals and those from people with Parkinson's disease, COVID-19, and other diseases. The results, published in Scientific Reports, demonstrate the method's potential for faster preliminary screenings in the future.