DIAGNOSTIC METHOD FOR URINARY TRACT INFECTION
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.