Methods and Devices for Rapid Assessment of Severity of Injury

Abstract

Methods and devices for rapid assessment of the severity of injury not due to a natural disease based upon measurement of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) are provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of assessing severity of an injury in a subject that is due to physical or chemical causes arising from accidents, natural disasters or aggressive acts, wherein said injury is not due to natural disease and is not a kidney injury, said method comprising the steps of
 a. measuring a level of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in a sample of bodily fluid from the subject within 12 hours after the injury has occurred, and   b. determining the severity of the injury based on the measured level of NGAL, wherein the higher the level of NGAL the more severe the injury.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the bodily fluid is blood, plasma, serum or urine. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the bodily fluid is bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a functional activity of NGAL is measured in the sample. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the measurement of NGAL or a functional activity thereof is performed by means of one or more antibodies or other binding molecules capable of binding to NGAL or a ligand or product of its functional activity. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the measurement of NGAL or its functional activity gives rise to a quantitative or qualitative signal that can be read by visual inspection or by means of a portable reading device that can be carried to wherever an injured subject may be encountered. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein NGAL or its functional activity is measured by an automated method. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the subject is a mammal. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the mammal is a human. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the injury is traumatic in origin. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the injury is due to exposure to a chemical agent. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the injury is due to exposure to radiation. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  for use in triage of victims of said accidents, disasters or acts. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the injury is any type of externally caused injury that is due to physical or chemical causes arising from accidents, natural disasters or aggressive acts, wherein said injury is not due to natural disease and is not a kidney injury.