Is it a Bacterial or Viral Infection?

A patient suffering from something needs help quickly; it may be a bacterial infection or a viral infection but you’re not sure. You could try guessing the answer but how do you find out conclusively? Until recently this has been a very difficult task for something that has a big impact on diagnosis and ultimately effective treatment. 

The Immune System and Useful Proteins

Now there’s a novel blood test that is quicker to administer than any other equivalent test and uses the body’s own immune system to provide an answer.

The body’s immune system relates to the system that defends the body against infection. This for example includes lymphocytes that help the body identify the invading infection and white blood cells that ingest invading organisms.  

When an antibody connects with antigen markers they effectively label that item for destruction by the immune system. During the very start of an infection the immune system produces proteins as a result of it that can be used to help identify what the infection is; 

TNF-related apoptosis induced ligand (TRAIL) is a mediator for cell response to infections. Much research has been conducted since its discovery in 1995 in its role and how it can be used in identifying viral infections.

Interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10) is secreted by antigen stimulated lymphocytes during infection. Peer review studies have been conducted and confirm that IP-10 is useful in bacterial and viral analysis within blood samples. 

C-Reactive Protein (CRP) is made in a person’s liver and sent into the bloodstream in response to inflammation caused during infection to help the body protect itself. It is therefore a useful marker in identifying that infection is taking place and commonly used to identify bacterial infections.

The New Infection Classification Test

The new testing technique uses the three immune system proteins mentioned above; TRAIL, IP-10 and CRP to assess what the patient is suffering from through a rapid antigen test that takes minutes to complete. 

Current alternatives include molecular diagnostics which take between hours and days to finish, culture tests which take days to complete, and rapid antigen tests that can be finished within the same time period as the new test; however don’t have as many benefits. 

The great thing is that this novel test comes in a standard ELISA test kit that utilises a cartridge-based system for ease of use and disposal. While the test is not intended as a standalone diagnostic tool it helps in accurately treating the patient quicker when time is against you.  

Double blind testing for this new test produced; 91% sensitivity, 94% specificity and 96% NPV based on Curiosity, Opportunity and Pathfinder studies utilising 2,376 patients. 

When compared to other testing techniques, the additional benefits include the diagnosis of inaccessible infections that other tests do not provide. It also prevents false alarms due to colonisation again unlike the other testing techniques mentioned, and it has a high robustness to evolving viruses.

Because of all these features it is ideal for medical diagnosis in more remote locations. ELISA testing machines can be highly portable unlike similar testing techniques. In addition, these cartridges are already prepared to save time and allow you to store and dispose of the quickly and easily. You will not need to worry about solutions for testing becoming contaminated or damaged during transport. You will also not have to worry about radioactive isotopes with short storage lives that other larger testing equipment utilise.

By using this system you have a higher assurance that you are not misdiagnosing a patient when time is against you.