Flow cytometry system and methods for the diagnosis of infectious disease
AssigneeFlowMetric Life Sciences, Inc.
InventorsRenold Julius Capocasale, Julie Ann Bick
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Flow cytometry is used for diagnosis of infectious diseases by an analysis of cell mediated immune responses to specific infective agent antigens. Apparatus and methods of advanced flow cytometry are utilized to detect cell mediated immune responses to the presence of specific antigens from infective agents, such as bacteria, protozoa, viruses, helminth, prions. In some embodiments, methods as provided herein can be utilized in vitro to diagnose multiple infections within individuals.
Claims18
A method for determining immune cell activation response to a pathogen, comprising steps of:
- (a) providing a blood sample obtained from a patient, the blood sample comprising immune cells;
- (b) exposing the sample to one or more antigens of a pathogen, for a period of time sufficient to activate T cells wherein when the pathogen is present in the sample, the one or more antigens activate a T cell response to the pathogen in the sample;
- (c) contacting the sample with a first detectably-labeled antibody and a second detectably-labeled antibody, wherein the first detectably-labeled antibody binds to at least one pathogen specific T cell activation marker of the responding activated T cells, wherein the second detectably-labeled antibody binds to one or more cytokines and/or chemokines of the responding activated T cells, and wherein the labels of the first detectably-labeled antibody and the second detectably-labeled antibody are different;
- (d) detecting a level of the first detectably-labeled antibody bound to the at least one pathogen specific T cell activation marker of the responding activated T cells in the sample;
- (e) detecting a level of the second detectably-labeled antibody bound to one or more cytokines and/or chemokines, wherein the one or more cytokines and/or chemokines are characterized in that they are secreted from the responding activated T cells;
- (f) generating a responding T cell activation signature from the detecting steps (d) and (e) to determine that the sample is infected with the pathogen;
- and
- (g) administering to the patient a pathogen specific therapeutic treatment for the infecting pathogen.
A method for determining immune cell activation response to a pathogen, comprising steps of:
- (a) providing a blood sample obtained from a patient, the blood sample comprising immune cells;
- (b) exposing the sample to one or more antigens of a pathogen for a period of time sufficient to activate T cells, wherein when the pathogen is present in the sample, the one or more antigens activate a T cell response to the pathogen in the sample;
- (c) contacting the sample with a first detectably-labeled antibody and a second detectably-labeled antibody, wherein the first detectably-labeled antibody binds to at least one pathogen specific T cell activation marker of the responding activated T cells, wherein the second detectably-labeled antibody binds to one or more cytokines and/or chemokines of the responding activated T cells, and wherein the labels of the first detectably-labeled antibody and the second detectably-labeled antibody are different;
- (d) detecting, by flow cytometry, (i) a level of the first detectably-labeled antibody bound to the at least one pathogen specific T cell activation marker of the responding activated T cells in the sample and (ii) a level of the second detectably-labeled antibody bound to one or more cytokines and/or chemokines, wherein the one or more cytokines and/or chemokines are characterized in that they are secreted from the responding activated T cells;
- (e) generating a responding T cell activation signature from the detecting steps (d) and (e) to determine that the sample is infected with the pathogen;
- and
- (f) administering to the patient a pathogen specific therapeutic treatment for the infecting pathogen.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.