SYSTEMS and METHODS for DETECTING INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Abstract

Systems, methods, and devices for detecting infections in a clinical sample are provided. Small-volume clinical samples obtained at a point-of-service (POS) location and may be tested at the POS location for multiple markers for multiple diseases, including upper and lower respiratory diseases. Samples may be tested for cytokines, or for inflammation indicators. Dilution of samples, or levels of detection, may be determined by the condition or past history of a subject. Test results may be obtained within a short amount of time after sample placement in a testing device, or within a short amount of time after being obtained from the subject. A prescription for treatment of a detected disorder may be provided, and may be filled, at the POS location. A bill may be automatically generated for the testing, or for the prescription, may be automatically sent to an insurance provider, and payment may be automatically obtained.

1 - 276 . (canceled) 
     
     
         277 . A method of detecting a disease marker, comprising:
 a) introducing a cartridge comprising at least two different types of samples into an automatic sample processing device, wherein one of said samples comprises a swab sample carried on a swab, wherein said automatic sample processing device comprises:
 i) a sample handling system configured to transport at least a portion of one of said samples; and 
 ii) an optical detector; 
   b) contacting one of said samples with a reagent for the performance of an assay for the detection of a disease marker;   c) moving one of said samples, or portion thereof, to a location suitable for detection of an optical signal from the sample or portion thereof by said optical detector;   d) detecting the presence of a disease marker; and   e) processing the other of said samples using said automatic sample processing device.   
     
     
         278 . The method of  claim 277 , comprising performing two or more assays for the detection of disease markers, and detecting two or more disease markers in one or more of said samples, or in one or more portions thereof. 
     
     
         279 . The method of  claim 277 , wherein said one of said samples comprises a blood sample. 
     
     
         280 . The method of  claim 277 , wherein said swab is entirely contained in the cartridge. 
     
     
         281 . The method of  claim 277 , wherein said sample obtained using said swab was obtained by swabbing a nasal passage of a subject. 
     
     
         282 . The method of  claim 277 , wherein said sample obtained using said swab was obtained by swabbing a body cavity of a subject. 
     
     
         283 . The method of  claim 277 , wherein said sample obtained using said swab was obtained by swabbing a throat of a subject. 
     
     
         284 . The method of  claim 277 , wherein one of said samples comprises a sample obtained using said swab, and another of said samples comprises a blood sample. 
     
     
         285 . The method of  claim 277 , comprising detecting the presence of a nucleic acid disease marker and a protein disease marker. 
     
     
         286 . The method of  claim 277 , comprising detecting the presence of a nucleic acid disease marker and an antibody. 
     
     
         287 . The method of  claim 277 , wherein said sample has a volume of less than about 500 microliters. 
     
     
         288 . The method of  claim 277 , comprising performing two or more assays for the detection of disease markers, and detecting two or more disease markers in said samples, or in one or more portions thereof. 
     
     
         289 . The method of claim  225 , comprising detecting the presence of a nucleic acid disease marker and a protein disease marker. 
     
     
         290 . The method of  claim 277 , wherein said disease marker is selected from a nucleic acid disease marker, a protein disease marker, a saccharide, a prostaglandin, a cytokine, histamine, a steroid, and a marker for inflammation. 
     
     
         291 . The method of  claim 277  wherein said two or more disease markers are selected from a nucleic acid disease marker, a protein disease marker, a saccharide, a prostaglandin, a cytokine, histamine, a steroid, and a marker for inflammation. 
     
     
         292 . The method of  claim 277  wherein 1) the swab sample is tested for the presence of a nucleic acid indicative of the infection, and 2) the other of said samples is tested for the presence of an antibody indicative of the infection. 
     
     
         293 . The method of  claim 292  further comprising determining whether the relative amounts of a) nucleic acids indicative of the infection and b) antibodies indicative of the infection indicate that the infection is a recent infection, wherein i) a greater relative amount of the nucleic acids indicative of the infection as compared to the relative amount of the antibodies indicative of the infection indicate that the infection is a recent infection, and ii) a significant amount of antibodies to the infectious agent indicate the infection is not a recent infection. 
     
     
         294 . The method of  claim 277 , wherein the method is a point-of service method performed at a point-of-service location. 
     
     
         295 . The method of  claim 277 , wherein the method may be performed in less than about 40 minutes.