Biomarker Panel for Infectious Disease Differentiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current diagnostic methods lack sensitivity and specificity to differentiate between healthy, inflammatory, and infectious conditions, leading to inappropriate antimicrobial use and inadequate treatment monitoring, particularly in distinguishing between viral and bacterial infections.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the measurement of SAA, CRP, and MxA concentrations in biological samples to determine health status, differentiate between healthy and unhealthy conditions, and monitor treatment efficacy, allowing for precise antimicrobial intervention and therapy adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current diagnostic methods are used, then antimicrobial interventions can be administered, but the differentiation between healthy, inflammatory, and infectious conditions is insufficient leading to inappropriate antimicrobial use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the diagnostic approach by measuring multiple specific biomarkers (SAA, CRP, MxA, Hp) individually, each providing distinct information about different aspects of the condition. This segmentation allows for precise differentiation between viral, bacterial, and inflammatory conditions without requiring complex pathological analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by measuring the concentrations of specific biomarkers (SAA, CRP, MxA, Hp) which change in response to different conditions. By monitoring these parameter changes, the system can differentiate between healthy, inflammatory, and infectious states with high reliability.
2Measurement precision
If pathogen-specific detection techniques are used to differentiate viral and bacterial infections, then accurate differentiation is achieved, but the testing cannot be performed rapidly or at point of care
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical/pathological detection systems with biochemical marker measurement. Instead of using sophisticated pathogen-specific detection techniques that require complex equipment and time-consuming procedures, the system uses straightforward measurement of biomarker concentrations (SAA, CRP, MxA, Hp) that can be rapidly performed at point of care while maintaining high precision in differentiating viral from bacterial infections.
3Reliability
If antimicrobial treatments are administered before infection is confirmed, then risk of negative patient outcomes is reduced, but unnecessary antimicrobial use increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using biomarker measurement results to guide antimicrobial treatment decisions. The system provides real-time information about whether an infection is present and its type (viral or bacterial), allowing clinicians to adjust treatment accordingly. This feedback loop prevents both premature and unnecessary antimicrobial use while ensuring appropriate treatment when truly needed.
4Ease of operation
If single biomarker assays are used, then the test is simple to perform, but the ability to differentiate between healthy, infectious, and inflammatory conditions is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple simple biomarker assays into a comprehensive diagnostic panel. By combining measurements of SAA, CRP, MxA, and Hp in a single test protocol, the system maintains ease of operation while achieving high measurement precision for differentiating between healthy, infectious, and inflammatory conditions. The combined information from multiple markers provides comprehensive condition differentiation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of determining a health status of an individual, the method comprising the steps of assaying a biological sample from the individual for the expression of at least genes, or proteins encoded by said genes, wherein the at least three genes are selected from SAA, CRP, Hp and MxA, wherein the expression of the at least three genes, or the proteins encoded by said genes, above or below a specified threshold level correlates with the health status of the individual.