Sepsis Test

Abstract

There is provided a method for determining whether a subject has a bacterial infection comprising: identifying an abnormal expression of one or more of CD49e, CD 14, CD11c, CD49f, and CD29 on leucocytes in a sample obtained from the subject; wherein an abnormal expression of CD49e, CD 14, CD11c, CD49f or CD29 is indicative of the subject having a bacterial infection.

1 . A method for determining whether a subject has a bacterial infection comprising identifying abnormal expression of one or more proteins selected from the group consisting of CD49e, CD 14, CD49f, CD11c and CD29 on blood leucocytes in a sample obtained from the subject; wherein an abnormal expression of CD49e, CD14, CD49f, CD11c or CD29 is indicative of the subject having a bacterial infection. 
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the leucocytes are neutrophils. 
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 1  or  claim 2  comprising identifying the abnormal expression of CD49e. 
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 1  or  claim 2  comprising identifying the abnormal expression of CD 14. 
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 1  or  claim 2  comprising identifying the abnormal expression of CD49f. 
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 1  or  claim 2  comprising identifying the abnormal expression of CD11c. 
   
   
       7 . A method according to  claim 1  or  claim 2  comprising identifying the abnormal expression of CD29. 
   
   
       8 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein at least 20% of neutrophils in the sample express CD49e. 
   
   
       9 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein at least 10% of neutrophils in the sample express CD 14. 
   
   
       10 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein at least 20% of neutrophils in the sample express CD49f. 
   
   
       11 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein at least 40% of neutrophils in the sample express CD11c 
   
   
       12 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein at least 40% of neutrophils in the sample express CD29. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1  or  2 , additionally comprising identifying abnormal expression of one or both of TLR2 and TLR4 on neutrophils in the sample; wherein the abnormal expression of one or both of TLR2 and TLR4 is further indication of a bacterial infection. 
   
   
       14 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein the abnormal expression of TLR2 is identified which is indicative of a Gram positive bacterial infection. 
   
   
       15 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein the abnormal expression of TLR4 is identified which is indicative of a Gram negative bacterial infection. 
   
   
       16 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein at least 10% of leucocytes in a sample express TLR2 or TLR4. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein abnormal expression of a protein selected from the group consisting of CD49e, CD 14, CD49f, CD11c, CD29, TLR2, and TLR4 is identified using antibodies or antibody fragments for the molecule in question. 
   
   
       18 . A kit for testing for a bacterial infection comprising antibodies or antibody fragments to at least two proteins selected from the group consisting of CD49e, CD 14, CD49f, CD11c, CD29, TLR2 and TLR4. 
   
   
       19 . A kit according to  claim 18  comprising monoclonal antibodies to CD49e, CD 14, CD49f, CD11c, CD29, TLR2 and TLR4.