Diagnosis and risk stratification of infections and chronic diseases of the respiratory tract and lungs by means of provasopressin, particularly copeptin or neurophysin ii

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for diagnosing and/or stratifying the risk of infections or chronic diseases of the respiratory tract and lungs, particularly lower respiratory tract infections and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In said method, provasopressin (proAVP) or fragments or partial peptides thereof, especially copeptin or neurophysin II, is/are determined. The invention further relates to suitable biomarker combinations for in-vitro diagnosis.

1 . Method for diagnosis and/or risk stratification of infections or chronic diseases of the airways and lungs, comprising determining provasopressin (proAVP) or fragments and partial peptides thereof. 
     
     
         2 . Method for diagnosis and/or risk stratification of infections or chronic diseases of the airways and lungs according to  claim 1 , for identifying patients having an increased risk and/or a disadvantageous prognosis of infections or chronic diseases of the airways and lungs. 
     
     
         3 . Method for diagnosis and/or risk stratification of infections or chronic diseases of the airways and lungs according to  claim 1 , where the patient is a symptomatic and/or asymptomatic patient, particularly an emergency patient. 
     
     
         4 . Method for diagnosis and/or risk stratification of infections or chronic diseases of the airways and lungs according to  claim 1 , for carrying out clinical decisions, particularly further treatment and therapy by means of medications, particularly antibiotics, particularly in intensive-care medicine or emergency medicine, and for hospitalization of the patient. 
     
     
         5 . Method for diagnosis and/or risk stratification of infections or chronic diseases of the airways and lungs according to  claim 1 , further comprising determining procalcitonin and/or the group of C-reactive protein (CRP), or a partial sequence thereof, in each instance, in a patient to be examined. 
     
     
         6 . Method for diagnosis and/or risk stratification of infections or chronic diseases of the airways and lungs according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the diagnosis takes place for prophylaxis, for prognosis, for early recognition and recognition by means of a differential diagnosis, for an assessment of the degree of severity, and for an assessment of the progression over the course of therapy. 
     
     
         7 . Method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that
 the cut-off (threshold value) for diagnosis, 6-20 pmol/L, or the cut-off (threshold value) for prognosis, 10-50 pmol/L, of the marker provasopressin (proAVP) or fragments and partial peptides thereof, is significant (specific).   
     
     
         8 . Method according to  claim 1 , further comprising determining at least one other marker selected from the group consisting of inflammatory markers. 
     
     
         9 . Method according to  claim 8 , characterized in that the inflammatory marker is at least one marker selected from the group consisting of cytokines, interleukins, and adhesion molecules. 
     
     
         10 . Method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that
 parallel or simultaneous determinations of the markers are carried out.   
     
     
         11 . Method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that
 the determinations are carried out using at least one patient sample.   
     
     
         12 . Method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that
 the determinations are carried out using an automated analysis device.   
     
     
         13 . Method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that
 the determinations are carried out by means of a rapid test.   
     
     
         14 . Method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the risk stratification takes place for prognosis, for early recognition and recognition by means of a differential diagnosis, for an assessment of the degree of severity, and for an assessment of the progression over the course of therapy, of acute coronary syndrome. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . Kit for diagnosis and/or risk stratification of infections or chronic diseases of the airways and lungs, comprising detection reagents for determining provasopressin (proAVP) or fragments and partial peptides thereof, and optionally other markers according to  claim 8 , and ancillary substances. 
     
     
         18 . Diagnostic device for carrying out a method according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fragment of proAVP is copeptin or neurophysin II.