Urinary L-FABP Quantification for COVID-19 Aggravation Risk Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining COVID-19 aggravation risk lack a reliable marker that can predict pathological conditions capable of inducing aggravation without exposing healthcare workers to SARS-CoV-2-containing droplets, and existing tests are not suitable for early-stage assessment.
Innovation Solution
The method involves quantifying liver-type fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP) in urine samples to assess the aggravation risk of COVID-19, using anti-L-FABP antibodies for detection, and employing a kit for point-of-care testing to identify patients at high risk of deterioration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If PCR, antibody testing, or antigen testing is used to determine COVID-19 infection, then the presence or absence of infection can be determined, but these methods cannot predict aggravation risk at an early stage without complicated operation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and measures urinary L-FABP concentration as a specific biomarker that can be detected through simple urine collection and ELISA testing, separating the aggravation risk assessment function from complex PCR or antibody testing procedures. This allows early-stage prediction of disease progression using a straightforward quantitative measurement of L-FABP levels in urine samples.
2Reliability
If healthcare workers perform close monitoring of test-positive patients to detect rapid aggravation, then patient safety can be maintained, but healthcare workers are exposed to SARS-CoV-2-containing droplets
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces urinary L-FABP concentration as an intermediary biomarker that indirectly reflects the patient's aggravation risk and systemic microvascular endothelial inflammation. By measuring this urinary marker, clinicians can assess patient status without requiring close physical contact or respiratory droplet exposure, thus protecting healthcare workers while maintaining monitoring reliability.
3Measurement precision
If conventional markers like serum creatinine are used to assess kidney function, then renal damage can be detected, but these markers cannot reflect aggravation risk independently of renal damage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention focuses on measuring L-FABP specifically in the urinary phase (urine L-FABP) rather than serum L-FABP, creating a localized measurement that reflects kidney-related aggravation mechanisms independently of overall renal function. This urinary-specific approach allows the marker to capture aggravation risk signals that are distinct from general kidney damage indicators like serum creatinine.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for non-invasive, early-stage assessment of COVID-19 aggravation risk using urine samples, enabling accurate triage and optimizing medical resource allocation by identifying patients who require intensive care unit transfer or monitoring for acute deterioration.
Implementation Method 1
the material for quantifying a liver-type fatty acid binding protein is an anti-L-FABP antibody
Data Source
AI summary
The purpose of the present invention is to provide: a method for testing the aggravation risk for a person infected with the COVID-19 virus, the method allowing the use of urine as a test sample; a test kit for the method; and a companion diagnostic drug and an aggravation risk marker thereof. The present invention is a method that includes a step for determining the amount of liver fatty acid binding protein in urine sampled from a subject, and that tests the aggravation risk of SARS-CoV-2 infectious disease (COVID-19) on the basis of the quantitative determination result.