Diagnostic markers of wound infection
AssigneeSystagenix Wound Management (US), Inc.
InventorsPhilip Stephens, Ryan Moseley, Rachael Clark, Breda Mary Cullen
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a method of determining the microbial bioburden in a wound (in particular a diabetic ulcer) in a test subject, the method comprising the step of measuring the level of a cytokine in a wound sample, wherein a cytokine level lower than a reference level indicates a significant microbial bioburden in the wound (or a cytokine level higher than a reference level indicates an insignificant microbial bioburden in the wound). The invention provides methods of diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of wound infection, and devices and kits for use in such methods.
Claims9
An in vitro method of determining the microbial bioburden in a diabetic ulcer in a test subject, the method comprising the step of measuring the level of a cytokine in a diabetic ulcer sample selected from the group consisting of a fluid sample and a tissue sample, wherein a measured cytokine level at least 1.5 times lower than a reference level indicates a significant microbial bioburden in the diabetic ulcer, wherein the cytokine is IL-2, and further wherein a significant microbial bioburden in a diabetic ulcer fluid sample is greater than 1×105 CFU/ml and a significant microbial bioburden in a diabetic ulcer tissue sample is greater than 1×104 CFU/ml.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.