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Publications

Journal Article Systematic Review Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Ppublish 4 citations

PubMed: 37209927 DOI: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2023.05.002

Canine olfactory detection of SARS-CoV-2-infected humans-a systematic review.

Ann Epidemiol 85:68-85

Authors: Sebastian Meller, Charles Caraguel, Friederike Twele, Marios Charalambous, Clara Schoneberg, Anne-Lise Chaber, Loïc Desquilbet, Dominique Grandjean, Fernando O Mardones, Lothar Kreienbrock, Stéphane de la Rocque, Holger A Volk

Affiliations

  • Department of Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany.
  • School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; OIE Diagnostic Test Validation Science in the Asia-Pacific Region, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
  • Department of Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany.
  • Department of Biometry, Epidemiology and Information Processing, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training for Health in the Human-Animal-Environment Interface, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany.
  • School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
  • École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, IMRB, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France.
  • École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France.
  • Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Agronomía e Ingeniería Forestal, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas y Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago de Chile, Chile.
  • Human Animal Interface, WHO Health Emergencies Programme, Geneva, Switzerland.
  • Department of Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany; Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany.

Abstract

PURPOSE

To complement conventional testing methods for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 infections, dogs' olfactory capability for true real-time detection has been investigated worldwide. Diseases produce specific scents in affected individuals via volatile organic compounds. This systematic review evaluates the current evidence for canine olfaction as a reliable coronavirus disease 2019 screening tool.

METHODS

Two independent study quality assessment tools were used: the QUADAS-2 tool for the evaluation of laboratory tests' diagnostic accuracy, designed for systematic reviews, and a general evaluation tool for canine detection studies, adapted to medical detection. Various study design, sample, dog, and olfactory training features were considered as potential confounding factors.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven studies from 15 countries were evaluated. Respectively, four and six studies had a low risk of bias and high quality: the four QUADAS-2 nonbiased studies resulted in ranges of 81%-97% sensitivity and 91%-100% specificity. The six high-quality studies, according to the general evaluation system, revealed ranges of 82%-97% sensitivity and 83%-100% specificity. The other studies contained high bias risks and applicability and/or quality concerns.

CONCLUSIONS

Standardization and certification procedures as used for canine explosives detection are needed for medical detection dogs for the optimal and structured usage of their undoubtful potential.

MeSH

Risk, Explosive Agents, Coronavirus, Sars Virus, Covid-19, Sars-Cov-2

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