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AssigneeRegents of the University of Minnesota
InventorsDennis L. Confer, John W. Eaton
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A method for the early diagnosis of Bordetella diseases based on the detection of Bordetella adenylate cyclase and the ability of this enzyme to catalyze the formation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). A sample secretion is taken from a suspected victim of a Bordetella disease (the most common of which in humans is whooping cough) and incubated under conditions to promote the formation of cAMP, which may then be measured as evidence of the presence of the disease. A sample of nasopharyngeal secretions is maintained in a nutrient medium pending assay. An adenylate cyclase assay is made by incubating the sample with adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and the calcium binding protein calmodulin to generate cAMP. The cAMP is measured by any of several known available methods. To facilitate diagnosis, a kit is provided containing the materials necessary for collection of secretion specimens, for storage of specimens pending assay, and transport of specimens to the assay laboratory, and for performing the assay and determining the result.
A method for the diagnosis of Bordetella diseases in their earliest stages when bacteria in the nasopharyngeal secretions of the suspected patient are present in numbers as few as 100 bacteria per nasal swab inserted into the nostrils of the patient and removed, which method comprises assaying levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate produced by extra-cellular adenylate cyclase present in patients afflicted with Bordetella diease by:
A method for the diagnosis of whooping cough in its earliest stage when bacteria in the nasopharyngeal secretions of the suspected patient are present in numbers as few as 100 bacteria per nasal swab inserted into the nostrils of the patient and removed, which method comprises:
Means for facilitating the diagnosis of Bordetella diseases in their earliest stages, when bacteria in the nasopharyngeal secretions of the suspected patient are present in numbers as few as 100 bacteria per nasal swab inserted into the nostrils of the patient and removed, by assaying levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate produced by extracellular adenylate cyclase present in patients afflicted with Bordetella disease, which means comprises:
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