Method of detecting and identifying circulating antigens in human biological samples

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a method of detecting and identifying antigens that are shed into human bodily fluids during infection. The disclosed method allows circulating antigens associated with a particular infection to be detected within minutes or hours from testing as compared to days required with the current methods. Methods of identifying diagnostic indicators/targets for a given condition or disease are disclosed which include immunizing a verterinary subject with biological fluids obtained from a human infected with particular antigens to identify diagnostic targets for immunoassay. Also disclosed are methods of diagnosing and monitoring a B. pseudomallei -associated condition, such as melioidosis. Point-of-care immunoassays are also provided that can be used to diagnose or monitor the efficacy of a B. pseudomallei -associated condition treatment. These immunoassays can also be used for rapid diagnosis of infection produced by B. pseudomallei , such as meliodosis.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A kit for detecting a  B. pseudomallei -associated condition, comprising at least one molecule capable of detecting at least one  B. pseudomallei -associated molecule presented in Table 1 and directions for using the kit to detect a  B. pseudomallei -associated condition. 
     
     
         2 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the kit is one for self monitoring and the at least one molecule capable of detecting at least one  B. pseudomallei -associated molecule presented in Table 1 is presented on a test strip. 
     
     
         3 . The kit of  claim 2 , wherein the kit includes directions for using the kit to detect melioidosis. 
     
     
         4 . The kit of  claim 2 , wherein the test strip is a dipstick test strip. 
     
     
         5 . The kit of  claim 4 , wherein the kit includes directions for using the kit to detect melioidosis. 
     
     
         6 . The kit of  claim 2 , wherein the kit includes directions for using the kit to diagnose a subject with acute melioidosis. 
     
     
         7 . The kit of  claim 2 , wherein the kit includes directions for using the kit to diagnose a subject with chronic melioidosis. 
     
     
         8 . The kit of  claim 2 , wherein the kit includes directions for using the kit to monitor efficacy of a therapy.