Nasal genes used to identify, characterize, and diagnose viral respiratory infections
Inventors
STORCH, Gregory • Yu, Jinsheng • Mariani, Thomas J.
Assignees
University of Rochester • Washington University in St. Louis
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Publication Number
US-12344893-B2
Publication Date
2025-07-01
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present disclosure provides molecular methods to improve the rapid diagnosis of respiratory infections. In general, the present disclosure provides method of detecting host gene signatures which aid in determining the etiology of a respiratory infection and thereby improve the treatment.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to rapid molecular diagnosis of acute respiratory infections using host gene expression signatures measured from biological samples obtained from a subject. It addresses limitations of pathogen-only tests by using one or more host genes whose expression levels are compared against predetermined reference levels to detect a respiratory infection.
The level of expression of selected host genes in a biological sample is measured and compared with respective predetermined reference levels. A decrease relative to the predetermined reference level of specified host genes is indicative of the respiratory infection, and additional patterns of increased versus decreased gene expression are used to refine diagnostic classification, including distinguishing symptomatic viral infection versus asymptomatic viral infection.
The invention further provides treatment decision support by administering a treatment regimen based on the comparison of host gene expression levels with predetermined reference levels. The disclosed approach links diagnostic determination, including bacterial etiologies, to administering a treatment regimen such as antibacterial therapy.
Claims Coverage
Two independent claims are present. They cover host gene expression comparisons to predetermined reference levels for detecting a respiratory infection, and treatment of an acute respiratory illness by measuring host gene expression, comparing to predetermined reference levels, and administering a treatment regimen based on the comparison.
Decreased host gene expression indicative of respiratory infection
Measuring the level of expression of one or more host genes in a biological sample obtained from a subject, and comparing the level of each of the one or more host genes with a respective predetermined reference level, wherein a decrease relative to the predetermined reference level of one of the recited host genes is indicative of the respiratory infection.
Treatment regimen based on host gene expression comparison
Measuring the level of expression of one or more host genes in a biological sample obtained from a subject, comparing the level of each of the one or more host genes with a respective predetermined reference level, wherein a decrease relative to the predetermined reference level of one of the recited host genes is indicative of a respiratory infection, and administering to said subject a treatment regimen based on the comparison.
The claim set is centered on measuring expression of specified host genes in a biological sample and comparing each gene’s level to a predetermined reference level, where decreases relative to reference levels indicate a respiratory infection. The second independent claim adds administering a treatment regimen based on the comparison result for an acute respiratory illness.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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