Biomarkers for respiratory infection
AssigneeAseptika Ltd
InventorKevin Andrew Auton
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods of determining levels of activity of bacteria in the lungs of patients are described, in which levels of a marker of a bacterial iron scavenging processes (for example, siderophores) and levels of a secreted bacterial protein are measured over time. Changes in the measured levels over time allow levels of bacterial activity to be determined, and exacerbations of bacterial infection to be predicted and/or monitored. Additional markers may also be used. The methods of the invention may also be used for monitoring effectiveness of antibiotic treatment of lung infection. The invention is particularly useful for monitoring P. aeruginosa levels in lungs of cystic fibrosis patients. Kits for use in the methods are also described.
Claims19
A method of determining a level of activity of bacteria in the lung of a patient, the method comprising:
- making a first measurement at a first time of a level of at least one marker of a bacterial iron scavenging process and of at least one secreted bacterial protein in a sample of sputum from the lung of a patient;
- making a second measurement at a second time of the levels of the at least one marker and the at least one secreted bacterial protein in a sample of sputum from the lung of a patient;
- and
- determining said level of bacterial activity from changes in the measured levels of the at least one marker and the at least one secreted bacterial protein over time.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.