Urine inspection system and program

Abstract

To simply provide information showing a degree of a kidney disease of a feline animal.SOLUTION: A urine inspection system includes a storage part and a control part. The storage part stores kidney disease information on a relation between a level of a D-amino acid in urine of a feline animal and a degree of a kidney disease of the feline animal. The control part receives D-amino acid information showing the level of the D-amino acid in the urine from the feline animal from a user terminal belonging to an owner or an inspection institute of the feline animal. Then, the control part estimates the degree of the kidney disease of the feline animal on the basis of the received D-amino acid information and the kidney disease information and transmits kidney disease degree information showing the estimated degree of the kidney disease to the user terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a urine testing system and program that can estimate the stage of kidney disease based on urine test information of felines and provide that information to owners. [Background technology]

[0002] There have been known techniques for determining a pet's health condition from its urine components. Patent Document 1 listed below discloses a pet management system that includes a pet toilet having a urine component acquisition unit that acquires urine components from a pet (cat) and generates urine component information indicating the urine components, a health condition determination unit that determines the pet's health condition based on the urine component information and generates health condition information indicating the pet's health condition, and a display control unit that receives the health condition information and displays the pet's health condition. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-182920 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the technology in Patent Document 1 determines whether the pet's health condition is normal or abnormal and displays the result, but if the condition is abnormal, it cannot provide the owner with information indicating how advanced the condition is.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a urine testing system and program that can easily provide information indicating the degree of kidney disease in felines. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A urine testing system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a memory unit and a control unit. The memory unit stores kidney disease information relating to the relationship between the level of D-amino acids in the urine of a feline and the degree of kidney disease of the feline. The control unit receives D-amino acid information indicating the level of D-amino acids in the urine collected from the feline from a user terminal owned by the feline's owner, a veterinarian, or a testing institution. The control unit then estimates the degree of kidney disease of the feline based on the received D-amino acid information and the kidney disease information, and transmits kidney disease degree information indicating the estimated degree of kidney disease to the user terminal.

[0007] A program according to another aspect of the present invention is a program for executing the following on an information processing device: storing kidney disease information relating to the relationship between the level of D-amino acids in the urine of the feline and the degree of kidney disease of the feline; receiving D-amino acid information indicating the level of D-amino acids in urine collected from the feline animal from a user terminal owned by the feline animal's owner, a veterinarian, or a testing institution; estimating the extent of kidney disease of the feline based on the received D-amino acid information and the kidney disease information; and transmitting kidney disease degree information indicating the estimated degree of kidney disease to the user terminal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The urine testing system according to one embodiment of the present invention can easily provide information indicating the degree of kidney disease in a feline, but this effect is not intended to limit the present invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a cat urine testing system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of a cat urine test server according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3]FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a database included in a cat urine test server according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a table showing cats that were the subject of a test for measuring D-amino acids in feline urine using an enzymatic method, which was carried out in one embodiment of the present invention, and the stages of kidney disease that were determined. [Figure 5] 1 is a graph showing the results of a test for measuring D-amino acids in cat urine by an enzymatic method carried out in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a simple in-home test application acceptance process performed by a cat urine test server according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of an external testing institution testing application acceptance process performed by a feline urine testing server according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of kidney disease stage information provision processing by the feline urine test server according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 1 is a graph showing the results of a test for measuring D-amino acids in urine of zoo felines using an enzymatic method, which was carried out in another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] [System Configuration] This system tests the levels of D-amino acids in cat urine and provides cat owners with information on the stage of their cat's kidney disease.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, the cat urine testing system of this embodiment includes a cat urine testing server 100 on the Internet 50, multiple owner terminals 200, a testing institution terminal 300 at a testing institution (including a medical institution), and a veterinarian terminal 400 at a veterinarian.

[0013] The cat urine test server 100 provides a service of providing information on the stage of cat kidney disease (cat urine test) to cat owners who are users of the owner terminal 200. The cat urine test server 100 is connected to a plurality of owner terminals 200, a testing institution terminal 300 of a testing institution, and a veterinarian terminal 400 via the Internet 50.

[0014] The cat urine testing server 100 estimates the stage of kidney disease of the cat based on D-amino acid information indicating the level of D-amino acids in the cat urine received from the owner terminal 200 or the testing institution terminal 300, and transmits kidney disease stage information indicating the stage of the kidney disease to the owner terminal 200 or the testing institution terminal 300.

[0015] The owner terminals 200 (200A, 200B, 200C, etc.) are terminals used by the owners, such as smartphones, mobile phones, tablet PCs (Personal Computers), notebook PCs, and desktop PCs.

[0016] The owner terminal 200 transmits a request for a cat urine test (kidney disease stage information) together with the D-amino acid information to the cat urine test server 100, receives the kidney disease stage information from the cat urine test server 100, and displays it on a screen using a browser, etc. Also, an application compatible with the cat urine test service (hereinafter also referred to as a cat urine test app) may be installed in the owner terminal 200, and the owner terminal 200 may transmit a cat urine test request to the cat urine test server 100 using the cat urine test app and display the kidney disease stage information.

[0017] The testing institution terminal 300 is, for example, a smartphone, mobile phone, tablet PC, notebook PC, desktop PC, etc., and analyzes cat urine samples obtained from owners by mail, etc., to obtain D-amino acid information and send it to the cat urine testing server 100.

[0018] The veterinarian terminal 400 is, for example, a smartphone, mobile phone, tablet PC, notebook PC, desktop PC, etc., and when the cat urine testing server 100 transmits the kidney disease stage information to the owner terminal 200, it also transmits comment information generated by the veterinarian to the cat urine testing server 100 as necessary along with the kidney disease stage information.

[0019] D-amino acids (D-form) are mirror images of D-amino acids (L-form), which are the main components of the body, and in recent years, they have been expected to be useful in a variety of fields, including as markers for various diseases. The present inventors attempted to verify renal indicators using chiral amino acid metabolomics (separating and quantifying amino acid enantiomers) in cat urine, and discovered that cat urine contains large amounts of D-amino acid molecular species, which were previously thought to be present in trace amounts.

[0020] Furthermore, as renal function declines in cats, the amount of individual molecular species of D-amino acids in urine, the D / L abundance ratio, the D / (D+L) abundance ratio, and the total amount of D-amino acids decrease. These findings suggest that these may be useful as indicators of renal severity and ultra-early indicators of blood replacement.

[0021] Furthermore, the present inventors have discovered the possibility of simple measurement of D-amino acids using the enzyme oxidase. That is, this method (hereinafter also referred to as the "enzymatic method") visualizes renal dysfunction by using an enzyme (D-amino acid oxidase) to induce a color reaction, and is expected to reduce initial investment and maintenance costs compared to conventional chromatography methods (LC-MS) (mass spectrometry, fluorescence detection methods), etc.

[0022] In this embodiment, the test mode and route can be as follows: the owner mails a cat urine sample (urine, sand, sheet, etc.) collected from the cat to a testing institution, which tests it using the above-mentioned enzymatic method or the above-mentioned chromatography method and transmits the test results to the cat urine test server 100; or the owner tests it at home using a simple enzymatic test kit and transmits an image of the color reaction results (hereinafter also referred to as the "cat urine test image") to the cat urine test server 100.

[0023] The test kit consists of a urine collection device and a urine test tool. The urine test tool is one that is generally used for cat urine tests, such as those using the above-mentioned chromatography method or enzymatic method, and the urine collection device may also serve as the urine test tool.

[0024] A simple test kit is a urine collection device that also serves as a urine test tool, and examples include electrochemical devices (system toilets) that use the above enzymes, color-developing beads (cat litter), simple test papers (sheets), etc.

[0025] The test kit includes, for example, items related to the enzymatic method, such as pipettor tips for collecting samples, enzyme reaction solution and collection syringes (including spares), droppers for collecting water, cells, cell stands, cell lids, dilution tubes, color samples, and a colorimeter.

[0026] In this embodiment, "cat" refers to an animal of the feline family, i.e., an animal of the Carnivora order of the Mammalia class, family Felidae, and more specifically, cats belonging to the genus Felidae in the subfamily Felinae, such as the domestic cat, gray cat, jungle cat, African wildcat, sand cat, black-footed cat, and European wildcat, but there is no particular limitation on the breed.

[0027] In this embodiment, "kidney disease" refers to a condition in which some abnormality occurs in the kidneys, causing impaired kidney function, but it also refers to chronic kidney disease, which is a condition that primarily affects cats. Chronic kidney disease refers to a condition in which kidney function gradually declines, leading to renal failure.

[0028] Traditionally, feline kidney disease has been diagnosed by a veterinarian based on the IRIS (International Renal Research Society) guidelines, auxiliary physical tests (color tone, urine volume, urine specific gravity, pH), and a comprehensive assessment based on a medical interview. In particular, the stages of kidney disease are classified as follows according to the IRIS guidelines (2023 revised), and the kidney disease stage information provided by the urine test server 100 in this embodiment also conforms to this classification. Note that the kidney disease stages are an example of information indicating the degree of kidney disease (kidney disease degree information), and the degree of kidney disease may be classified in a manner different from the stages below. Healthy: Serum creatinine level less than 1.6 (mg / dL) or symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) level less than 14 (μg / dL). Stage 1 (early stage): Serum creatinine level is less than 1.6 mg / dL or symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) level is 14-17 μg / dL. Stage 2 (mild): Serum creatinine level between 1.6 and 2.8 or symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) level between 18 and 25. Stage 3 (moderate): Serum creatinine level between 2.9 and 5.0 or symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) level between 26 and 38. Stage 4 (severe): Serum creatinine level above 5.0 or symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) level above 38.

[0029] The D-amino acid level measured in this embodiment is, for example, the concentration of each individual D-amino acid selected from D-tyrosine, D-methionine, D-tryptophan, D-ornithine, and D-histidine. However, it is not limited to this and may also be, for example, the quantitative ratio of the D-amino acid to the L-amino acid (D-amino acid amount / L-amino acid amount), the chiral balance of the D-amino acid (D-amino acid amount / (D-amino acid amount + L-amino acid amount) × 100), or the total amount of D-amino acids (hereinafter referred to as "DAA"). DAA, D-serine, D-alanine, the total amount of L-amino acids, creatinine, etc. are preferred from the viewpoint of ease of application of enzymatic methods, and DAA is more preferred from the viewpoint of accuracy of the color reaction.

[0030] [Hardware configuration of cat urine testing server] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the cat urine test server 100.

[0031] As shown in the figure, the cat urine test server 100 comprises a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, an input / output interface 15, and a bus 14 that connects these together.

[0032] The CPU 11 is a control unit that accesses the RAM 13 etc. as needed and performs various arithmetic processing while controlling all of the blocks in the cat urine test server 100. Multiple CPUs 11 may be provided depending on the processing. The ROM 12 is a non-volatile memory that permanently stores firmware such as the OS, programs, and various parameters to be executed by the CPU 11. The RAM 13 is used as a working area for the CPU 11 and temporarily stores the OS, various applications currently being executed, and various data currently being processed.

[0033] The input / output interface 15 is connected to a display unit 16, an operation reception unit 17, a storage unit 18, a communication unit 19, and the like.

[0034] The display unit 16 is a display device that uses, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an OLED (Organic ElectroLuminescence Display), a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), or the like.

[0035] The operation reception unit 17 is, for example, a pointing device such as a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, or other input device. When the operation reception unit 17 is a touch panel, the touch panel can be integrated with the display unit 16.

[0036] The storage unit 18 is a non-volatile memory such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a flash memory (solid state drive (SSD)), or other solid-state memory. The storage unit 18 stores the OS, various applications, and various data.

[0037] As will be described later, particularly in this embodiment, the memory unit 18 has programs such as applications necessary for the kidney disease stage information provision processing described later, as well as a user information database, a urine collection / testing equipment information database, a kidney disease information database, and a kidney disease stage information database.

[0038] The communication unit 19 is, for example, a NIC (Network Interface Card) for Ethernet or various modules for wireless communication such as wireless LAN, and is responsible for communication processing between the owner terminal 200, the testing facility terminal 300, and the veterinarian terminal 400.

[0039] Although not shown, the basic hardware configurations of the owner terminal 200, testing institution terminal 300 and veterinarian terminal 400 are also substantially the same as the hardware configuration of the cat urine test server 100 described above.

[0040] [Database configuration of cat urine testing server]

[0041] 3, the feline urine test server 100 has, in the storage unit 18, a user information database 31, a urine collection / testing device information database 32, a kidney disease information database 33, and a kidney disease stage information database 34. Note that each of these databases may be stored in a storage device or server externally connected to the feline urine test server 100, rather than in the storage unit 18.

[0042] The user information database 31 stores attribute information for each user about the owners who are members of the kidney disease stage information service and their pet cats. User attribute information includes general information such as name, user ID for identifying the user, date of birth, address, gender, and email address, as well as information about the user's regular veterinarian and the number of pets owned. Cat attribute information includes information such as name, pet ID, species, gender, age, weight, microchip identification number, symptoms of concern, and images of the cat.

[0043] The urine collection and testing equipment information database 32 stores information (product number, product name, price, manufacturer name, sales site URL, etc.) for each device about the urine collection equipment used to collect cat urine and the simple D-amino acid testing kit using the above-mentioned enzymatic method used after the urine is collected.

[0044] Urine collection devices are urine collection implements that can hold or contain urine, and examples include urine collection sheets, urine collection containers, cat litter boxes, Urocatcher sponge extracts, non-clumping cat litter (silica gel, wood, zeolite, paper, etc.), mailing dropper containers, urine collection ladles, vinyl sheets, etc. A set of information on two or more of these items is referred to as a urine collection device list (urine collection device information). Examples of simple test kits include, as mentioned above, electrochemical devices using enzymes (system litter boxes), color-developing beads (cat litter), and simple test papers (sheets).

[0045] The kidney disease information database 33 stores information associating color information shown in a color reaction test in which cat urine reacts with the enzyme with kidney disease stages according to the IRIS guidelines. As different color information according to the kidney disease stage, different colors may be associated with each kidney disease stage, or different intensities of colors (color intensity information) with the same tone may be associated with each kidney disease stage (for example, the darker the purple, the closer to healthy the kidney, and the lighter the purple, the worse the kidney disease stage).

[0046] The kidney disease information database 33 also stores information indicating the relationship between the above-mentioned color information and the test conditions, including at least one of the reaction time of the color reaction test, the test location, the urine test equipment used for the test (test form such as an electrochemical device, color-developing beads, or test paper), the temperature during the test, and the number of retry attempts. This is because the colors appearing in the cat urine test image received from the owner terminal 200 may differ depending on the test conditions, and in such cases, correction is necessary. Specifically, for example, color information is stored for each different test condition, or a correction value from a reference color value is stored. As mentioned above, if the urine test equipment also serves as a urine collection device, the above-mentioned test conditions may also include information about the urine collection device.

[0047] The kidney disease information database 33 may further store treatment information indicating treatment methods (including information on therapeutic drugs) corresponding to the above-mentioned kidney disease stages, and prevention method information indicating methods for preventing kidney disease in healthy individuals (including information on pet foods, etc., that are effective for prevention).

[0048] The kidney disease stage information database 34 stores, for each user (and for each pet), the cat urine test image received from the owner terminal 200 or the test result information received from the testing institution terminal 300, and kidney disease stage information generated based on them. The kidney disease stage information database 34 may also store veterinarian comment information received from the veterinarian terminal 400 in association with the kidney disease stage information.

[0049] In addition, the memory unit also stores information about external testing institutions (institution name, institution ID, address, telephone number, email address, etc.) and information about veterinarians (hospital name, veterinarian name, veterinarian ID, address, telephone number, email address, etc.).

[0050] These databases are used by mutual reference as necessary in the kidney disease stage information provision process by the cat urine test server 100, which will be described later.

[0051] [Test example: Enzymatic method for measuring D-amino acids in cat urine] The present inventors conducted the following test to measure the total D-amino acid concentration in cat urine by the enzymatic method used in this embodiment for a simple test that can be performed by pet owners at home.

[0052] (1) Test Overview Analyses of the relationship between renal function and urinary components were performed on cats in a healthy group (N = 16) and a group with impaired renal function (N = 14, hereafter referred to as the kidney disease group) (Figure 4). After urine collection, cats were classified based on a comprehensive assessment of the IRIS guidelines, which are the current standard, and a veterinarian's interview. Additional tests for cat urine included measurements of pH (HORIBA, Ltd., compact pH meter LAQUAtwin), urine specific gravity (USG) (ATAGO Co., Ltd., PAL-dog and cat urine specific gravity meter), and urinary creatinine (CRE) (ARKRAY, Inc., thinka RT-4010 urine chemistry analyzer).

[0053] (2) Measurement of total D-amino acid (DAA) concentration in cat urine (calibration curve creation and quantitative value calculation) The protocol for the D-Amino Acid Assay Kit (MET-5136, Colorimetric, Cell Biolabs) was followed. A calibration curve was drawn using the kit's built-in standard (D-alanine) at concentrations of 0, 1.56, 3.13, 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 μM, and DAA in cat urine was measured (the purple color reaction progresses depending on the amount of D-amino acid, making it visible).

[0054] Specifically, 10 μL of cat urine was placed in a 10 mL Spitz glass (trade name: reinforced hard screw-cap test tube), mixed with 90 μL of the kit's built-in assay buffer, and then centrifuged in a centrifuge (Hitachi / CF5RE) at 2130 × g (3000 rpm) for 5 minutes in a refrigerator (4°C) to remove proteins, and amino acids were collected from the supernatant.

[0055] Next, 50 μL of the above-mentioned freshly prepared standard solution and 50 μL of cat urine were each added to a 96-well microplate (No. 655801, manufactured by Greiner Bio-One).

[0056] Next, 50 μL of the enzyme reaction solution included in the kit (a mixture of colorimetric probe, HRP, and D-amino acid oxidase) was added to each well, and the mixture was immediately mixed in the dark and then incubated at 37°C for 1 hour (D-amino acid oxidase (DAO) reaction).

[0057] Finally, DAA in the enzyme reaction solution was measured (wavelength 570 nm) using a microplate reader (SH-9000 Lab, manufactured by Corona Electric Co., Ltd.).

[0058] (3) Data analysis (analysis and visualization of total D-amino acid (DAA) concentrations in cat urine) As shown in Figure 5, DAA in cat urine measured by enzymatic analysis decreased (purple color decreased) as renal function declined (renal stage worsened). The DAA ranges corresponding to each stage were: Normal > 420 μM, Renal Disease Stage 1 (300-420 μM), Renal Disease Stage 2 (200-300 μM), Renal Disease Stage 3 (100-200 μM), Renal Disease Stage 4 < 100 μM. This technology can be implemented in homes and medical testing facilities (for example, DAA test paper (color sample) using enzymes, simple quantification using image analysis, and multi-visualization using biosensors with multi-enzyme (method) elements), and by combining it with other promising indicators, more precise renal monitoring will become possible.

[0059] This method is not limited to any particular urine collection method, and can be used to easily test a wide variety of urine, including natural urine, catheter urine, bladder puncture urine, urine squeezed from a urine collection sheet, Urocatcher sponge extract, urine passed through non-hardening cat litter (silica gel, wood, zeolite, paper, etc.), urine collected by mail-order urine collection kit, urine collected using a ladle, and urine collected from a vinyl sheet.

[0060] [Cat urine testing server operation] Next, we will explain the operation of the cat urine test server 100 configured as above. This operation is performed by the cooperation of hardware such as the CPU 11 and communication unit 19 of the cat urine test server 100 and software stored in the storage unit 18. For convenience, in the following explanation, the CPU 11 is the subject of operation.

[0061] (Application acceptance process for simple home testing) Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of the in-home simple test application reception process by the cat urine test server 100. As a prerequisite for this process and subsequent processes, it is assumed that the owner information and pet information stored in the user information database 31 have been sent from the owner terminal 200 to the cat urine test server 100, and the user registration process has been completed.

[0062] As shown in the figure, first, the CPU 11 of the cat urine test server 100 determines whether or not a simple home test application request has been received from the owner terminal 200 (step 61). The simple home test application request is transmitted by, for example, an application button displayed on the cat urine test app.

[0063] If it is determined that a request for a simple home test application has been received (Yes in step 61), the CPU 11 refers to the urine collection / testing equipment information database 32 and transmits urine collection equipment information indicating a list of urine collection equipment to the owner terminal 200 (step 62).

[0064] Next, the CPU 11 determines whether or not selection information (urine collection device identification information) for selecting one of the urine collection devices has been received from the owner terminal 200 (step 63).

[0065] If it is determined that the selection information has been received (Yes in step 63), the CPU 11 refers to the urine collection / testing device information database 32 and transmits a urine collection device list to the owner terminal 200 (step 64).

[0066] Next, the CPU 11 determines whether or not selection information (urine test tool identification information) for selecting one of the urine test tools has been received from the owner terminal 200 (step 65).

[0067] If it is determined that the above selection information has been received (Yes in step 65), the CPU 11 transmits a purchase page for the selected urine collection device and urine test tool (step 66).

[0068] Next, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the payment on the purchase page has been completed (step 67). If it is determined that the payment has been completed (Yes in step 67), the CPU 11 transmits a home simple test application completion screen to the owner terminal 200 and causes it to be displayed (step 68). Payment for the urine collection device and the urine test device may be executed separately. Furthermore, if a simple test kit that combines a urine collection device and a urine test device is selected, the selection and payment processing for the urine collection device and the urine test device in steps 62 to 68 above is replaced by the selection and payment processing for the simple test kit.

[0069] (External inspection agency inspection application acceptance processing) FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of the external testing institution testing application reception process by the feline urine test server 100.

[0070] As shown in the figure, first, the CPU 11 of the cat urine test server 100 determines whether or not a request for application for testing by an external testing institution has been received from the owner terminal 200 (step 71). The request for application for testing by an external testing institution is also transmitted by, for example, an application button displayed on the cat urine test app.

[0071] If it is determined that a request for application for testing by an external testing institution has been received (Yes in step 71), the CPU 11 transmits a list of external testing institutions to the owner terminal 200 (step 72).

[0072] Next, the CPU 11 determines whether or not selection information for selecting any of the external testing organizations has been received from the owner terminal 200 (step 73).

[0073] If it is determined that the selection information has been received (Yes in step 73), the CPU 11 transmits a payment page for the test fee of the selected external testing institution to the owner terminal 200 (step 74).

[0074] Next, the CPU 11 determines whether the payment on the payment page has been completed (step 75). If it determines that the payment has been completed (Yes in step 75), the CPU 11 sends a urine test request to the external testing institution along with the requesting owner and pet information (step 76). As a result, the testing institution will mail a urine collection device to the owner at a later date. Note that payment for the test fee may be made after the urine test request has been sent to the external testing institution.

[0075] Then, the CPU 11 transmits a screen indicating completion of application for testing by an external testing institution to the owner terminal 200 and causes it to be displayed (step 77).

[0076] (Kidney disease stage information processing) FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of kidney disease stage information provision processing by the cat urine test server 100.

[0077] As shown in the figure, first, CPU 11 determines whether a cat urine test request (a request to send kidney disease stage information) has been received from owner terminal 200, for example, via a cat urine test app (step 81). The cat urine test request includes a cat urine test image and test condition information. Using the urine test app, the owner inputs test condition information, including the reaction time of the color reaction test, the location, the urine test device used (test form such as an electrochemical device, color-developing beads, or test strip), the temperature during the test, the number of retry attempts, etc., and also uploads a cat urine test image capturing the color reaction results from the urine test device. In this case, an image capturing the colorimetric color sample and the reacted urine test device (beads or sheet) together may be sent as the cat urine test image (the urine test app may prompt this).

[0078] When it is determined that the cat urine test request has been received (Yes in step 81), the CPU 11 estimates the kidney disease stage based on the received cat urine test image and test condition information, and the information in the kidney disease information database 33 (step 82). Specifically, the CPU 11 determines the kidney disease stage that matches the color information obtained by analyzing the received urine test image and the test condition information. For example, the CPU 11 determines the kidney disease stage by applying the color density obtained by analyzing the urine test image to the corresponding kidney disease stage set for each test condition, or by correcting the color density in accordance with the test condition information and applying the corrected value to the corresponding kidney disease stage.

[0079] Next, the CPU 11 transmits a request for a comment to the veterinarian terminal 400 together with information on the estimated kidney disease stage and information on the owner and pet who requested the test (step 83). The veterinarian terminal 400 may be the veterinarian terminal 400 of the family veterinarian who is linked to the owner who requested the test in the user information database 31.

[0080] Next, the CPU 11 determines whether or not comment information has been received from the veterinarian terminal 400 (step 84).

[0081] If it is determined that the comment information has been received (Yes in step 84), the comment information is combined with treatment method information corresponding to the estimated kidney disease stage (prevention method information if the pet is healthy) to generate kidney disease stage information (step 85), and this information is sent to the owner terminal 200 (step 86). Note that sending the veterinarian's comment information and treatment / prevention method information is not essential.

[0082] If the owner applies for testing at an external testing institution, the test results are sent from the testing institution terminal 300 to the urine test server 100. If the test results are the above-mentioned cat urine test image and test condition information, kidney disease stage information is sent to the owner terminal 200 by processing similar to that of the flowchart in Figure 8. For example, if the test result is a D-amino acid value, the cat urine test server 100 determines the kidney disease stage corresponding to the D-amino acid value and sends the corresponding kidney disease stage information to the owner terminal 200.

[0083] As described above, according to this embodiment, the urine testing system can easily provide information indicating the stage of kidney disease in a cat.

[0084] [Variations] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

[0085] In the above-described embodiment, a D-amino acid test was performed at home using a simple test kit that uses an enzymatic method, and a urine test image and test condition information were transmitted from the owner terminal 200 to the urine test server 100. Alternatively, a D-amino acid test using an enzymatic method may be performed by the veterinarian, and a urine test image and test condition information may be transmitted to the urine test server 100. In this case, instead of the owner collecting urine using the urine collection device described above, the veterinarian may collect urine by catheterization or cystocentesis. Furthermore, kidney disease stage information estimated based on the transmitted urine test image and test condition information may be transmitted to the veterinarian terminal 400 of the veterinarian who sent the information, or may be transmitted to the owner terminal 200 linked to the veterinarian in the family veterinarian field in the user information database 31.

[0086] In the above-described embodiment, an example was shown in which a pet owner collects cat urine at home and mails the cat urine sample to a testing institution. Alternatively, the pet owner may collect cat urine at home, then bring the cat urine sample to a veterinary clinic (veterinarian), have a D-amino acid test performed at the veterinary clinic using the enzyme method or other urine test device, and transmit a cat urine test image and test condition information to the cat urine test server 100. In this case, the urine may be collected at a veterinary clinic rather than at home. Alternatively, after collecting urine at home or at a veterinary clinic, the cat urine sample may be mailed to a testing institution without a D-amino acid test being performed at the veterinary clinic (the subsequent process of generating kidney disease stage information is the same as in the above-described embodiment). The kidney disease stage information generated by the urine test server 100 for the test results may be transmitted to the veterinarian terminal 400, or may be transmitted to the pet owner terminal 200 linked to the veterinarian in the user information database 31 under the "family veterinarian" field.

[0087] In the above-described embodiment, kidney disease stage information according to the IRIS guidelines was provided as information indicating the degree of kidney disease to the owner terminal 200 or the testing institution terminal 300. However, the provided information indicating the degree of kidney disease is not limited to this, and may be, for example, stage information based on a classification different from the IRIS guidelines, classification information according to the range of D-amino acid values, or information on the score or ranking of kidney function among a group of cats that have undergone urine tests.

[0088] In the above-described embodiment, information regarding the results of a single test was transmitted as the kidney disease stage information. However, if kidney disease stage information for the same pet ID has previously been transmitted to an owner terminal 200 with the same owner ID as the owner terminal 200 that requested the urine test, the urine test server 100 may generate transition information for multiple kidney disease stage information items including past kidney disease stage information and transmit this information to the owner terminal 200. In this case, the urine test server 100 stores the same pet ID and urine test date or urine test date and time in association with the results of each urine test, and generates the above-mentioned transition information from this information.

[0089] In the above-described embodiment, the storage unit 18 may store weight information indicating a weight corresponding to the genetic susceptibility of each cat breed to developing kidney disease. Specifically, cat breeds such as Himalayans, Persians, and American Shorthairs are considered to be genetically prone to developing polycystic kidney disease. Furthermore, while cases of amyloidosis nephropathy in cats are rare, cat breeds such as Abyssinians and Somalis are considered to be prone to the disease. Therefore, a higher weight may be assigned to these cat breeds in terms of kidney disease risk than to other cat breeds. When estimating the kidney disease stage, not only may the estimated kidney disease stage information be provided, but information indicating the accuracy of the estimation may also be added. Furthermore, for these cat breeds, even if the estimated kidney disease stage is Stage 1 (early stage) or Stage 2 (mild), a comment may be added indicating the risk of the disease becoming severe.

[0090] In the above-described embodiment, cats (domestic cats) belonging to the Felinae subfamily are cited as animals of the feline family, but animals of the feline family are not limited to this, and the present invention can also be applied to testing the urine of, for example, larger animals of the Felinae subfamily, such as pumas, and lions, tigers, jaguars, and leopards belonging to the Pantherinae subfamily.

[0091] The present inventors conducted the following test to measure the concentrations of D-amino acids in the urine of large felines kept at Tennoji Zoo, a local independent administrative institution.

[0092] (1) Test Overview We performed an analysis of the relationship between renal function and urine components on zoo felines (see Figure 9) consisting of a healthy (Normal) group (female jaguar (Koharu), 3 years old: urine collection dates January 31, February 29, and March 18, 2024; male lion (Gao), 13 years old: urine collection dates January 28, February 28, and March 21, 2024) and a kidney disease (CKD) group (male Amur tiger (Kaze), 3 years old: urine collection dates February 27 and March 1, 2023; female puma (Marie), 16 years old: urine collection dates March 5, April 9, April 14, and May 1, 2023). After urine collection, the animals were classified based on a comprehensive assessment by a zoo veterinarian.

[0093] (2) Measurement of total D-amino acid (DAA) concentrations in the urine of zoo felines (preparation of calibration curves and calculation of quantitative values) The protocol for the D-Amino Acid Assay Kit (MET-5136, Colorimetric, Cell Biolabs) was followed. A calibration curve was drawn using the kit's built-in standard (D-alanine) at 0, 1.56, 3.13, 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 μM, and DAA levels in zoo cat urine were measured. (The purple color reaction progresses depending on the amount of D-amino acid, making it visible.)

[0094] Specifically, 10 μL of zoo feline urine was placed in a 10 mL Spitz glass (trade name: reinforced hard screw-cap test tube), mixed with 90 μL of the kit's included assay buffer, and then centrifuged in a centrifuge (Hitachi / CF5RE) at 2130 × g (3000 rpm) for 5 minutes in a refrigerator (4°C) to remove proteins, and amino acids were collected from the supernatant.

[0095] Next, 50 μL of the above-mentioned freshly prepared standard solution and 50 μL of zoo feline urine were each added to a 96-well microplate (No. 655801, manufactured by Greiner Bio-One).

[0096] Next, 50 μL of the enzyme reaction solution (Colorimetric Probe, HRP, D-Amino Acid Oxidase mixture) included in the kit was added to each sample, and immediately mixed in the dark, and then incubated at 37°C for 1 hour (D-Amino Acid Oxidase). acid oxidase (DAO) reaction).

[0097] Finally, DAA in the enzyme reaction solution was measured (wavelength 570 nm) using a microplate reader (SH-9000 Lab, manufactured by Corona Electric Co., Ltd.).

[0098] (3) Data analysis (analysis and visualization of total D-amino acid (DAA) concentrations in urinary samples from zoo cats) As shown in Figure 9 (Figure (A) is the normal group, and Figure (B) is the kidney disease (CKD) group), when measuring DAA in the urine of zoo felines using the enzymatic method, a decrease in urinary DAA was observed as renal function declined (the same was true for the reduction in purple coloration, the chromatography method, and electrochemical sensing).

[0099] Because this technology can track time-dependent changes (including drug intervention kinetics), it can be applied not only to homes and medical testing institutions, but also to all small to large felines in zoos and other facilities (for example, enzyme-based DAA test paper (color samples) and simple quantification using image analysis, and multi-visualization using biosensors with multi-enzyme (method) elements (DAA sensing, D-amino acid molecular species-specific sensing)). Furthermore, it can be combined with other promising indicators and testing technologies (mail-in testing, on-site testing, etc.). Through precise renal monitoring tests and therapeutic intervention, it will also be useful for achieving nature positive (preserving rare wildlife and biodiversity).

[0100] In the above-described embodiment, the cat urine test server 100 receives a cat urine test request from the owner terminal 200 and transmits kidney disease stage information to the owner terminal 200. However, the source of the cat urine test request and the destination of the kidney disease stage information are not limited to the owner terminal 200, and may be a third party terminal. For example, the cat urine test server 100 may receive a cat urine test request from the testing institution terminal 300 or the veterinarian terminal 400, and transmit kidney disease stage information to the testing institution terminal 300, the veterinarian terminal 400, or the owner terminal 200 in response. The owner terminal 200, the testing institution terminal 300, and the veterinarian terminal 400 can all function as "user terminals" that can communicate with the cat urine test server 100.

[0101] In the above embodiment, only one cat urine test server 100 is shown, but the processing executed by the cat urine test server 100 may be distributed and executed by a plurality of servers. For example, a server that accepts the above simple home test application request and external testing institution test request may exist separately from a server that transmits kidney disease stage information in response to a cat urine test request.

[0102] The functions performed by the components described in the embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in circuitry or processing circuitry, including general-purpose processors, application-specific processors, integrated circuits, ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), CPUs, conventional circuits, and / or combinations thereof, programmed to perform the described functions, and may function as a controller. A processor includes transistors and other circuits and is considered to be circuitry or processing circuitry. A processor may also be a programmed processor that executes a program stored in a memory. In the embodiments of the present invention, the circuitry, unit, or means is hardware that is programmed to perform the described functions or that executes the described functions. The hardware may be any hardware disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention or any hardware that is programmed to perform or is known to execute the described functions. When the hardware is a processor, which is considered to be a type of circuitry, the circuitry, unit, or unit is a combination of hardware and software used to configure the hardware and / or processor. [Explanation of symbols]

[0103] 11...CPU 18...Storage section 19…Communications Department 31...User information database 32...Urine collection and testing equipment information database 33...Kidney Disease Information Database 34. Kidney disease stage information database 100...Cat urine testing server 200...Owner's terminal 300...Inspection agency terminal 400...Veterinary terminal

Claims

1. a memory unit that stores kidney disease information relating to the relationship between the level of D-amino acids in the urine of a feline and the degree of kidney disease of the feline; receiving D-amino acid information indicating the level of D-amino acids in urine collected from the feline animal from a user terminal owned by the owner, veterinarian, or testing institution of the feline animal; estimating the extent of kidney disease of the feline based on the received D-amino acid information and the kidney disease information; Transmitting kidney disease degree information indicating the estimated kidney disease degree to the user terminal. A control unit; A urine testing system comprising:

2. the storage unit stores treatment method information indicating a treatment method corresponding to the degree of the kidney disease; The control unit transmits the kidney disease degree information and corresponding treatment method information to the user terminal. The urine testing system of claim 1 .

3. the storage unit stores preventive method information related to a preventive method for the kidney disease; When the estimated degree of kidney disease is normal, the control unit transmits the preventive method information together with the kidney disease degree information to the user terminal. The urine testing system of claim 1 .

4. The control unit transmitting the kidney disease level information to a veterinarian terminal possessed by a veterinarian; receiving, from the veterinarian terminal, comment information of the veterinarian on the kidney disease level information; The received comment information is transmitted to the user terminal. The urine testing system of claim 1 .

5. The control unit transmitting urine collection device information indicating a list of urine collection devices for collecting the urine to the user terminal; receiving, from the user terminal, device identification information that identifies one urine collection device selected from the urine collection device information; Transmitting purchase information for purchasing a urine collection device corresponding to the received device identification information to the user terminal. The urine testing system of claim 1 .

6. The control unit transmitting urine test tool information indicating a list of urine test tools for testing the urine to the user terminal; receiving, from the user terminal, urine test device identification information that identifies one urine test device selected from the urine test device information; Transmitting purchase information for purchasing a urine test kit corresponding to the received urine test tool identification information to the user terminal. The urine testing system of claim 1 .

7. the storage unit stores, as the kidney disease information, information associating color information shown in a color reaction test in which the urine reacts with a predetermined enzyme with a degree of the kidney disease; The control unit receives, as the D-amino acid information, image information obtained by capturing an image of the result of a color reaction test in which the urine is reacted with the enzyme, and estimates the degree of the kidney disease based on the color information determined from the image information. The urine testing system of claim 1 .

8. the storage unit stores, as the kidney disease information, information in which color density information as the color information is associated with a degree of the kidney disease; The control unit estimates the degree of the kidney disease based on color density information determined from the image information. The urine testing system according to claim 7.

9. the storage unit stores information indicating the relationship between the color information and test conditions including at least one of the reaction time of the color reaction test, the location, the urine test device used, the temperature during the test, and the number of times the test is repeated; The control unit receives, from the user terminal, the image information and examination condition information indicating the examination conditions, and estimates the degree of the kidney disease based on the color information that matches the examination conditions indicated by the received examination condition information. The urine testing system according to claim 7.

10. The control unit receiving, from the user terminal, owner identification information that identifies the owner and pet identification information that identifies the feline kept by the owner, together with the D-amino acid information; Determine whether past kidney disease level information corresponding to the owner identification information and the pet identification information exists, and if so, generate transition information of a plurality of kidney disease level information including the past kidney disease level information and transmit the transition information to the user terminal. The urine testing system of claim 1 .

11. the storage unit stores weight information indicating a weight according to the likelihood of developing a genetic kidney disease for each species information of the feline family; The control unit receives species information of the feline animal from the user terminal, and transmits the kidney disease degree information using weight information according to the received species information. The urine testing system of claim 1 .

12. In the information processing device, storing kidney disease information relating to the relationship between the level of D-amino acids in the urine of the feline and the degree of kidney disease of the feline; receiving D-amino acid information indicating the level of D-amino acids in urine collected from the feline animal from a user terminal owned by the feline animal's owner, a veterinarian, or a testing institution; estimating the extent of kidney disease of the feline based on the received D-amino acid information and the kidney disease information; transmitting kidney disease degree information indicating the estimated kidney disease degree to the user terminal; A program that executes the following.

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