Doctors’ best friends: dogs will help sniff out bacteria for cystic fibrosis sufferers

Imperial College project could lead to less invasive testing and combat increase in antibiotic resistance

Jodie is a canine with special powers, scientists have discovered. The golden labrador can smell and identify particular bacteria and could soon play a key role in helping researchers develop a programme in which dogs could sniff out individuals infected with dangerous microbes.

The project, recently launched by scientists at Imperial College London, could be vital in the battle against antibiotic resistance as well as the treatment of patients with lung disease and other conditions, they say.