IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,535,481
Granted Patent B2
US 12,535,481 · App. 17/341,201 · Granted Jan 27, 2026

Patent

Inventors: Brandon L. Jutras (Blacksburg, VA); Christine Jacobs-Wagner (Blacksburg, VA)
Assignee: VIRGINIA TECH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES, INC.
G01N33/56911A61K38/48A61K39/40A61K45/06C07K16/1203G01N33/686G01N2333/195G01N2400/02G01N2800/26
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,535,481
App. No.
17/341,201
Granted
Jan 27, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a method of diagnosing Lyme disease in a subject comprising measuring the level of B. burgdorferi peptidoglycan or the level of an antibody that specifically binds to B. burgdorferi peptidoglycan (“anti-peptidoglycan agent”). The present disclosure also relates to a method of treating a Lyme disease in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject an antagonist against B. burgdorferi peptidoglycan (e.g., an anti-peptidoglycan antibody or a peptidoglycan-specific hydrolase). Antagonists (e.g., anti-peptidoglycan antibodies) suitable for the present methods are also disclosed.

Claims (12)

1 . A method of diagnosing Lyme disease arthritis in a subject in need thereof comprising:

(i) contacting, with a synovial fluid sample of the subject, an innate immunity protein that binds to Borrelia burgdorferi peptidoglycan, wherein the innate immunity protein is NOD2;

(ii) detecting binding between NOD2 and peptidoglycan; and

(iii) measuring the level of peptidoglycan in the sample based at least upon the amount of binding detected between NOD2 and peptidoglycan.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the synovial fluid sample of the subject has a greater level of peptidoglycan compared to a reference control sample.

3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the level of peptidoglycan in the synovial fluid sample of the subject is greater than at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 20%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, at least about 80%, at least about 90%, at least about 100%, at least about 150%, at least about 200%, at least about 300% or more compared to a corresponding level in the reference sample.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the contacting, detecting and measuring are performed in vitro.

5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising treating the subject with one or more therapeutic agents, wherein treating occurs after diagnosing.

6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the one or more therapeutic agents comprises a therapeutically effective amount of an antibiotic.

7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the antibiotic comprises doxycycline, amoxicillin, ceftriaxone, or combinations thereof.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the contacting is performed within about 3 weeks after suspected infection with Borrelia burgdorferi.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject in need thereof has been previously diagnosed with Lyme disease.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 30, 2021
From: VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE AND STATE UNIVERSITY
To: VIRGINIA TECH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 057029/0724 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 9, 2021
From: JUTRAS, BRANDON L.; JACOBS-WAGNER, CHRISTINE
To: VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE AND STATE UNIVERSITY
Reel/Frame 056492/0216 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation PCTUS2019064664 · Dec 5, 2019
Provisional Application 62775709 · Dec 5, 2018
Related Publication 20210364514A1 · Nov 25, 2021
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