Screening test and procedure using apocrine sweat

Abstract

Marker compounds indicative of variations in physiological conditions, genetic defects or disease states have been found to be present in apocrine sweat and, in many conditions, these markers are present in apocrine sweat in elevated levels when compared to blood. These markers are collected and/or detected in apocrine sweat and used as an indicator that a disease state or particular physiological condition exists. A skin patch, wipe or other collection means is used to collect apocrine sweat. The apocrine sweat is then used to indicate the existence of a disease state or changing physiological condition by the presence of specific marker compounds. Apocrine sweat can also be collected from individuals known to have a specific disease or physiological condition and, by comparison with apocrine sweat from normal individuals, used to identify new markers indicative of the specific disease state or physiological condition.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A diagnostic device for collecting and indicating the presence or elevated state of a marker compound in a mammalian body, the marker compound indicative of a particular disease state or physiological condition and being present in apocrine sweat in elevated concentrations when compared to eccrine sweat, comprising a patch for placement on the skin of a living mammal, the patch comprising 
 a. an absorbent means for collecting sweat gland output,    b. one or more detector means which interacts with the elevated concentrations of the marker compound present in the collected sweat, and    c. an indicator evidencing the interaction of the marker in such elevated concentrations with the detector means.    
     
     
         2 . The diagnostic device of  claim 1  further including means for removably attaching the patch to the skin for a period sufficient to collect a predetermined quantity of sweat gland output and the marker compound contained therein.  
     
     
         3 . The diagnostic device of  claim 1  wherein the marker compound is present in concentrations above normal, said elevated levels indicative of particular disease states or physiological condition.  
     
     
         4 . The diagnostic device of  claim 1  wherein the marker compound is present only when a particular disease states or physiological condition is present.  
     
     
         5 . The diagnostic device of  claim 1  wherein the detector means provides a color change indicative of the presence of at least a specified quantity of the marker compound.  
     
     
         6 . A method of diagnosing a disease state or physiological condition in a living mammal comprising: 
 a. collecting liquid or vapor components of apocrine gland secretions in a collection means positioned in the underarm, groin or mammary area of the mammal and, after a sufficient collection period,    b. removing the collection means and analyzing the liquid or vapor components collected for the presence of a marker compound or compounds in the apocrine gland secretions, said marker compound or compounds being indicative of the existence of the diseased state or physiological condition and not being present in the absence of said disease state or physiological condition.    
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the presence of the marker is determined by visible indicators, colorimetric indicators, chemical or monoclonal antibody detection techniques, electronic sensors, clinical laboratory analysis or instrumental techniques.  
     
     
         8 . A method of diagnosing a disease state or physiological condition in a living mammal comprising: 
 a. collecting liquid or vapor components of apocrine gland secretions in a collection means positioned in the underarm, groin or mammary area of the mammal and, after a sufficient collection period,    b. removing the collection means and analyzing the liquid or vapor components collected for the presence of a marker compound or compounds in the apocrine gland secretions,    said marker compound or compounds being indicative of the existence of the diseased state or physiological condition by being present in quantities elevated over levels existing in apocrine sweat in the absence of said disease state or physiological condition, the presence of the marker compound in apocrine sweat also being proportionally greater than in eccrine sweat simultaneously collected when compared to apocrine sweat and eccrine sweat under normal physiological conditions or in the absence of the disease.    
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the physiological condition is ovulation or premenstrual syndrome in a female.  
     
     
         10 . A method of determining histocompatability between two individuals comprising: 
 a. collecting from each individual liquid or vapor components of apocrine gland secretions in a collection means positioned in the underarm, groin or mammary area of the mammal and, after a sufficient collection period,    b. removing the collection means and analyzing the liquid or vapor components collected for the presence of a marker compound or compounds in the apocrine gland secretions of each individual said marker compound or compounds being indicative of the existence of histocompatability between said individuals.    
     
     
         11 . A method of identifying markers or antibodies against said markers indicative of a specific disease state or physiological condition in an individual comprising: 
 a. collecting a first sample of liquid or vapor components of apocrine gland secretions in a collection means positioned in the underarm, groin or mammary area of the individual known to have the specific disease state or physiological condition,    b. collecting a second sample of liquid or vapor components of apocrine gland secretions in a collection means positioned in the underarm, groin or mammary area of an individual known to not have the disease state or physiological condition, and    c. comparing the first sample with the second sample collected to determine compounds in the first sample not existing, or existing at lesser concentrations, in the second sample, said compounds being marker compounds or antibodies against said marker compounds indicative of the existence of the specific diseased state or physiological condition.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the presence of the marker compound is determined and is identified by calorimetric, electronic, clinical laboratory analysis or instrumental techniques.