Saliva immunoassay for detection of antibodies for cardiovascular disease

Abstract

A method for diagnosing the likelihood and severity of cardiovascular disease in a patient is disclosed. The method determines the levels of antibodies against autoantigens, including myosin, oxidized LDL, β-2-glycoprotein, heat shock protein-60, platelet glycoprotein, and immune complexes. It then compares the results to normal levels to determine the likelihood and severity of cardiovascular disease.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for diagnosing the likelihood and severity of cardiovascular disease in a patient, comprising the steps of: 
 a) determining a level of antibodies against an autoantigen or a corresponding recombinant antigen or synthetic peptide for cardiovascular disease in a sample from said patient; and    b) comparing the level of antibodies determined in step a) with normal levels of said antibodies, wherein 
 (i) normal levels of autoantigen antibodies for cardiovascular disease indicate optimal conditions; and  
 (ii) higher than normal levels of autoantigen antibodies for cardiovascular disease indicate ongoing pathology or prediction of early pathogenic reaction for cardiovascular disease.  
   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the autoantigen for cardiovascular disease is selected from the group consisting of myosin, oxidized LDL, heat shock protein-60, β-2-glycoprotein-1, platelet glycoprotein, and immune complexes.  
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein determining the level of antibodies in steps a) and b) is accomplished using an immunoassay.  
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the immunoassay is an ELISA test.  
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the antibodies in steps a) and b) is measured from saliva.  
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the measured antibodies are IgA.