Urine inspection system and program

Abstract

This urine inspection system is equipped with a storage unit and a control unit. The storage 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 in the feline. The control unit receives D-amino acid information indicating the level of D-amino acids in urine collected from a feline from a user terminal in the possession of the keeper of the feline or an inspection agency. The control unit estimates the degree of kidney disease in the feline on the basis of 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.

Description

Urine testing system and program

[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.

[0002] Conventionally, techniques for determining a pet's health condition from its urine components have been known. 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.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-182920

[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.

[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 causes an information processing device to perform the following steps: storing 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 the urine collected from the feline from a user terminal owned by the owner, veterinarian, or testing institution of the feline; estimating the degree 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.

[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.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a cat urine testing system according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of a cat urine testing server according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of a database held by a cat urine testing server according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a table showing cats that were subjects of a cat urine D-amino acid measurement test by an enzymatic method and the determined kidney disease stages, which was carried out in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a graph showing the results of a cat urine D-amino acid measurement test by an enzymatic method, which was carried out in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing for accepting an application for a simple home test by a cat urine testing server according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing for accepting an application for testing by an external testing institution by a cat urine testing server according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing for providing kidney disease stage information by a cat urine testing server according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a graph showing the results of a zoo feline urine D-amino acid measurement test by an enzymatic method, which was carried out in another embodiment of the present invention.

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

[0011] [System Configuration] This system tests the level of D-amino acids in cat urine and provides information on the stage of kidney disease in the cat to the cat owner or other person.

[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 feline kidney disease (cat urine test) to cat owners who are users of the owner terminals 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 terminal 200 (200A, 200B, 200C, etc.) is a terminal used by the owner, and is, for example, a smartphone, a mobile phone, a tablet PC (Personal Computer), a notebook PC, a desktop PC, or the like.

[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. In addition, an application corresponding to 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 and display the kidney disease stage information using the cat urine test app.

[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 transmit 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-forms) are mirror images of L-amino acids (L-forms), 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 had previously been thought to be present in trace amounts.

[0020] Furthermore, as renal function declines in cats, the amount of D-amino acids in the urine of individual molecular species, 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 an indicator of renal severity and an ultra-early indicator for blood replacement.

[0021] Furthermore, the present inventors have discovered the possibility of a simple method for measuring D-amino acids using an enzyme oxidase. Specifically, this method visualizes impaired renal function by using an enzyme (D-amino acid oxidase) to induce a color reaction (hereinafter also referred to as the "enzymatic method"). This method 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 testing 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 testing 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 testing 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), and simple test papers (sheets).

[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 diagnosis has been based on a veterinarian's comprehensive assessment of the IRIS (International Renal Research Society) guidelines, supplementary physical tests (color, urine volume, urine specific gravity, pH), and a medical interview. In particular, the IRIS guidelines (2023 revised) classify kidney disease stages as follows, and the kidney disease stage information provided by the urine test server 100 in this embodiment 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 less than 1.6 mg / dL or symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) level between 14 and 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, the D-amino acid level is not limited to this and may 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 the Cat Urine Test Server] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the cat urine test server 100. As shown in FIG.

[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 and other memory as needed, and performs various arithmetic processing while providing overall control over each block of 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 OELD (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 (SSD; solid state drive), 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 a 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 equipment 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 the user's name, a 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 the owner keeps. Cat attribute information includes information such as the name, pet ID, breed, gender, age, weight, microchip identification number, symptoms of concern, and an image of the cat.

[0043] The urine collection / testing equipment information database 32 stores information (product number, product name, price, manufacturer name, sales site URL, etc.) for each device regarding the urine collection equipment used to collect cat urine and the simple D-amino acid test 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-hardening cat litter (silica gel, wood, zeolite, paper, etc.), dropper containers for mailing, 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).As mentioned above, examples of simple test kits include electrochemical devices using enzymes (system litter boxes), color-developing beads (cat litter), simple test papers (sheets), etc.

[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, darker purple indicates closer to normal kidney health, and lighter purple indicates worsening kidney disease).

[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 stage, 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 these. 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: Measurement of D-amino acids in cat urine by enzymatic method] The present inventors conducted the following test to measure the total concentration of D-amino acids in cat urine by the enzymatic method used in this embodiment for simple testing at home by pet owners.

[0052] (1) Study Overview Analysis of the relationship between renal function and urinary components was performed on cats in a healthy group (N = 16) and a group with impaired renal function (N = 14, hereafter referred to as the renal disease group) (Figure 4). After urine collection, it was classified based on a comprehensive judgment based on the above-mentioned IRIS guidelines, which are the current standard, and a veterinarian's interview. As supplementary tests for cat urine, measurements of pH (LAQUAtwin compact pH meter, manufactured by Horiba Ltd.), urine specific gravity (USG) (PAL-dog and cat urine specific gravity meter, manufactured by Atago Co., Ltd.), and urinary creatinine (CRE) (thinka RT-4010 urine chemistry analyzer, manufactured by Arkray, Inc.) were also performed.

[0053] (2) Measurement of total D-amino acid (DAA) concentration in cat urine (preparation of calibration curve and calculation of quantitative value) The protocol for the D-Amino Acid Assay Kit (MET-5136, Colorimetric, Cell Biolabs) was followed. A calibration curve was drawn for 0, 1.56, 3.13, 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 μM of the standard D-alanine prepared in the kit, 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 assay buffer (buffer solution) provided in the kit, and then centrifuged in a centrifuge (manufactured by 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) Concentration in Cat Urine) As shown in Figure 5, DAA in cat urine measured by enzymatic analysis decreased (reduced purple color) 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 laboratories (e.g., enzymatic DAA test strips (color samples), simple quantification using image analysis, and multi-visualization using biosensors with multi-enzyme (method) elements). Combining it with other promising indicators may enable more precise renal monitoring.

[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] [Operation of the cat urine test server] Next, a description will be given of the operation of the cat urine test server 100 configured as described above. The 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 description, the CPU 11 is the subject of operation.

[0061] (In-home simple test application acceptance process) Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of in-home simple test application acceptance 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 sends 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 and testing device information database 32 and transmits a list of urine collection devices 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 determines 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 made separately. Furthermore, if a simple test kit that combines a urine collection device and a urine test device is selected, the selection and payment processes for the urine collection device and the urine test device in steps 62 to 68 are replaced by the selection and payment processes for the simple test kit.

[0069] (External Testing Agency Testing Application Reception Processing) FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of external testing agency test application reception processing 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 one of the external testing institutions 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 along with the requesting owner and pet information to the external testing institution (step 76). As a result, the testing institution will mail the 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] The CPU 11 then 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 Providing Process) FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of kidney disease stage information providing process by the feline urine test server 100.

[0077] As shown in the figure, the CPU 11 first determines whether a cat urine test request (a request to send kidney disease stage information) has been received from the 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. The owner uses the urine test app to input 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, and the number of retry attempts, and also uploads a cat urine test image capturing the color reaction results from the urine test device. In this case, the cat urine test image may be an image of the colorimetric color sample and the reacted urine test device (beads or sheet) together (the urine test app may prompt the owner to do so).

[0078] If 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 and treatment method information corresponding to the estimated kidney disease stage (prevention method information in the case of a healthy dog) are combined to generate kidney disease stage information (step 85), which is then transmitted to the owner terminal 200 (step 86). Note that the transmission of 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] [Modifications] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and 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 employing 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 bladder puncture. 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 transmitted it, or may be transmitted to the owner terminal 200 linked to the veterinarian in the family veterinarian section of 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 testing 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 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 testing server 100 for the test results may be transmitted to the veterinarian terminal 400, or may be transmitted to the 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 is provided as information indicating the degree of kidney disease to the owner terminal 200 or the testing institution terminal 300. However, the information indicating the degree of kidney disease that is provided is not limited to this, and may be, for example, stage information based on a classification method 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 to date.

[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 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 Himalayan, Persian, and American Shorthair 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 Abyssinian and Somali are considered to be prone to developing 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 high 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 indicating the risk of the disease becoming severe may be added.

[0090] In the above-described embodiment, cats (domestic cats) belonging to the Felinae subfamily are cited as animals of the feline family, but the feline family is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be similarly applied to testing the urine of larger animals in 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) Study Overview Analyses of the relationship between renal function and urine components were conducted 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 samples were classified based on a comprehensive assessment by a zoo veterinarian.

[0093] (2) Measurement of total D-amino acid (DAA) concentrations in zoo feline urine (preparation of calibration curve 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 for 0, 1.56, 3.13, 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 μM using the kit's built-in standard (D-alanine), and DAA concentrations in zoo feline urine were measured (visualized by a purple color reaction that progresses depending on the amount of D-amino acid).

[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 assay buffer provided in the kit, and then centrifuged in a centrifuge (manufactured by 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, Greiner Bio-One).

[0096] 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).

[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 the urine of zoo felines) As shown in Figure 9 (Figure (A) is the normal group, and Figure (B) is the kidney disease (CKD) group), the DAA concentration in the urine of zoo felines measured by the enzymatic method also decreased 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 facilities, but also to all small to large felines in zoos and other settings (for example, enzyme-based DAA test strips (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 outcomes (conservation of 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 feline urine test server 100 is shown, but the processing executed by the feline urine test server 100 may be distributed and executed by a plurality of servers. For example, a server that accepts the above-mentioned 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 hardware 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 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.

Claims

1. A urine testing system comprising: 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; and a control unit that 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, 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.

2. The urine testing system according to claim 1, wherein the memory unit stores treatment method information indicating a treatment method corresponding to the degree of kidney disease, and the control unit transmits the kidney disease degree information together with the corresponding treatment method information to the user terminal.

3. The urine testing system of claim 1, wherein the memory unit stores preventive method information regarding preventive methods for kidney disease, and the control unit transmits the preventive method information together with the kidney disease degree information to the user terminal if the estimated degree of kidney disease is normal.

4. The urine testing system of claim 1, wherein the control unit transmits the kidney disease degree information to a veterinarian terminal held by a veterinarian, receives comment information from the veterinarian regarding the kidney disease degree information from the veterinarian terminal, and transmits the received comment information to the user terminal.

5. The urine testing system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit: transmits to the user terminal urine collection device information indicating a list of urine collection devices for collecting the urine; receives from the user terminal device identification information identifying one urine collection device selected from the urine collection device information; and transmits to the user terminal purchasing information for purchasing the urine collection device corresponding to the received device identification information.

6. The urine testing system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit: transmits to the user terminal urine test tool information indicating a list of urine test tools used to test the urine; receives from the user terminal urine test tool identification information that identifies one urine test tool selected from the urine test tool information; and transmits to the user terminal purchasing information for purchasing a urine test kit corresponding to the received urine test tool identification information.

7. The urine testing system of claim 1, wherein the memory unit stores, as the kidney disease information, information associating color information shown in a color reaction test in which the urine is reacted with a specified enzyme with the degree of kidney disease, and the control unit receives, as the D-amino acid information, image information capturing the results of the color reaction test in which the urine is reacted with the enzyme, and estimates the degree of kidney disease based on the color information determined from the image information.

8. The urine testing system according to claim 7, wherein the memory unit stores, as the kidney disease information, information associating color density information as the color information with the degree of kidney disease, and the control unit estimates the degree of kidney disease based on the color density information determined from the image information.

9. The urine testing system of claim 7, wherein the memory 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, location, urine test equipment used, temperature during testing, and number of retry attempts, and the control unit receives test condition information indicating the test conditions along with the image information from the user terminal, and estimates the degree of kidney disease based on the color information that matches the test conditions indicated by the received test condition information.

10. The urine testing system of claim 1, wherein the control unit receives from the user terminal, together with the D-amino acid information, owner identification information that identifies the owner and pet identification information that identifies the feline kept by the owner, determines whether past kidney disease level information corresponding to the owner identification information and pet identification information exists, and if so, generates transition information on multiple kidney disease level information including the past kidney disease level information and transmits it to the user terminal.

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

12. A program that causes an information processing device to execute the following steps: storing 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 the urine collected from the feline from a user terminal owned by the feline's owner, veterinarian, or testing institution; estimating the degree 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.

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