To the Editors:
The letter by Rosias et al. 1 highlights that individual biomarkers in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) require specific methods for optimal collection. Denominators need to be determined (such as time, total breath collection, protein, electrolytes, conductivity or other more stable markers) and, critically, researchers should consider collecting whole or global EBC, which may enhance reproducibility.
To determine the reproducibility of simple ions and more complex molecules, such as proteins and eicosanoids in different disease categories, we used the EcoScreen® (Erich Jaeger GmbH, Hochberg, Germany) to study the within-day variability of EBC biomarkers from 11 subjects with asbestosis, 14 with pulmonary fibrosis (PF) and 22 healthy normal subjects (tables 1⇓ and 2⇓).
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Two EBC samples, obtained over exactly 10 min, were collected on the same …