Signatures and determinants for distinguishing between a bacterial and viral infection and methods of use thereof

Abstract

The present invention provides methods of detecting infection using biomarkers. The methods disclosed herein include measuring the expression level of one or more polypeptide determinants in which the alteration of the expression level indicates infection of the patient. The methods provided herein are for distinguishing between bacterial infection, mixed infection, and/or viral infection. The methods disclosed herein may also further comprise measuring one or more non-polypeptide determinants. The present disclosure also provides methods for selection of a treatment regimen for the subject based on whether the subject is identified as having a bacterial or mixed infection, or a viral infection.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A kit for a detection assay for distinguishing between bacterial and viral infections, the kit comprising a detection agent which specifically measures the amount of IFI27 mRNA in a sample of a subject, wherein the kit comprises no more than 10 additional agents which specifically measure the amount of 10 additional genes, wherein said additional genes are differentially expressed in a statistically significant manner in subjects with a bacterial infection compared to subjects with a viral infection. 
     
     
         2 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein said agent is immobilized to a solid support. 
     
     
         3 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein said agent comprises a detectable label selected from the group consisting of a radioactive label, a fluorescent label, a chemiluminescent label and a colorimetric label. 
     
     
         4 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the kit comprises no more than 5 additional agents which specifically measure the amount of 5 additional genes. 
     
     
         5 . A method of treating an infection in a subject in need thereof comprising:
 (a) measuring the level of no more than 10 mRNAs in a sample of the subject, wherein one of said 10 mRNAs is IFI27 mRNA;   (b) classifying whether the subject has a bacterial infection or a viral infection on the basis of said level of IFI27 mRNA; and   (c) treating the subject classified as having said bacterial infection with an antibiotic agent, or treating the subject classified as having said viral infection with an antiviral agent, thereby treating the subject.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising measuring the level of white blood cells of the subject. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising measuring the level of neutrophils of the subject. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising measuring the level of a protein selected from the group consisting of MX1, CRP and RSAD2 in the sample of the subject. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the sample is whole blood or a fraction thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said blood fraction sample comprises cells selected from the group consisting of lymphocytes, monocytes and granulocytes. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said measuring is effected by electrophoretic detection or immunochemical detection. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said immunochemical detection is selected from the group consisting of flow cytometry, radioimmunoassay, immunofluorescence assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.