Sniffer dogs as a screening/diagnostic tool for COVID-19: a proof of concept study

Abstract Background Sniffer dogs are able to detect certain chemical particles and suggest be capable of helping diagnose some medical conditions complications, such as colorectal cancer, melanoma, bladder even critical states hypoglycemia in diabetic patients. With the global spread COVID-19 throughout world need have a real-time screening population, especially crowded places, this study aimed investigate applicability sniffer carry out task. Methods Firstly, three male female from German shepherd (Saray), black (Kuzhi) Labrador (Marco) breeds had been intensively trained classical conditioning method for 7 weeks. They were introduced human specimens obtained throat pharyngeal secretions participants who already reported positive or negative SARS-COV-2 infection RT-PCR. Each dog underwent process almost 1000 times. In meantime another similar condition was conducted on clothes masks patient using (Lexi), Border gypsy (Sami), Golden retriever (Zhico) breeds. verification test first dogs, 80 secretion samples consisting 26 54 different centers RT-PCR single-blind method. second other 50 70 cases center used. Results secretion, dogs’ detection capability associated with 65% sensitivity 89% specificity they amanged identify 17 48 true samples. next patients’ face clothes, 43 correctly identified by dogs. Moreover, samples, 65 found negative. The high 86% its 92.9%. addition, predictive values 89.6 90.3%, respectively. Conclusion Dogs being sniffing their odour, so can used reliable tool limited screening.