Another example of the use of innovative solutions in infection diagnostics is the modified FFP2 mask for diagnosing tuberculosis in children. As conventional diagnostic methods often fail in children because, unlike adults, they do not produce sputum, this method offers a promising alternative. The masks filter the patient's breath and, if necessary, collect genetic material from the tuberculosis pathogens.
In a clinical study conducted by the Research Center Borstel, Leibniz Lung Center, it was shown that the masks, in combination with molecular biological analysis methods, have the potential to enable a less invasive and more precise diagnosis. As no pathogen DNA could be detected in the tests in children, the technology provides valuable evidence that children may not produce infectious aerosols. The method of collecting genetic material using masks works and is an important step towards developing new, less invasive diagnostic methods for infectious diseases.