Diagnostic method for urinary tract infection

Abstract

It has been demonstrated that the urinary level of HBP increases in individuals that have a urinary tract infection. Accordingly, the urinary level of HBP in an individual can be used to determine whether or not an individual has a urinary tract infection.

1 . A method of identifying whether or not an individual has a urinary tract infection, which method comprises measuring HBP in the individual and thereby determining whether or not the individual has a urinary tract infection, wherein an elevated level of HBP indicates that the individual has a urinary tract infection, wherein an elevated level of HBP indicates that the individual has a urinary tract infection. 
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the HBP is measured in a sample taken from the individual. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the sample is a fluid sample, preferably a urine sample. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein determining whether or not the individual has a urinary tract infection comprises determining whether or not the concentration of HBP is greater than 15 ng/ml, preferably greater than 25 ng/ml, more preferably greater than 35 ng/ml, and most preferably greater than 50 ng/ml in the sample. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the level or concentration of HBP in the sample is increased by at least 3 fold or 4 fold relative to the baseline level or concentration of HBP. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the individual is suspected of having a urinary tract infection. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the individual is a mammal. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the mammal is a human. 
     
     
         9 . An agent for the detection of HBP for use in determining whether or not an individual has a urinary tract infection. 
     
     
         10 . An agent according to  claim 9 , wherein the agent comprises an HBP-specific antibody, or an HBP-binding fragment thereof. 
     
     
         11 . A method of treating an individual for a urinary tract infection, comprising;
 (i) determining whether or not an individual has a urinary tract infection using a method according to  claim 1 ; and   (ii) administering to an individual identified in (i) as at risk, a therapeutically effective amount of an agent suitable for the treatment of a urinary tract infection.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the agent suitable for the treatment of urinary tract infection is an antibiotic. 
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 1 , where the HBP concentration provides information on the severity of infection. 
     
     
         14 . A test kit for use in a method for determining whether or not an individual has a urinary tract infection, which test kit comprises an agent for the detection of HBP in an individual.