| abstract |
Use of aldose-1-epimerase (A1E) from body fluids or tissues as a marker peptide, in human or veterinary medicine, for diagnosis, prognosis or monitoring progress, of inflammation or infection, and/or as target for therapy of these conditions, is new. <??>Independent claims are also included for: <??>(1) differential diagnostic (early) detection of sepsis or severe infections, particularly sepsis-like systemic infections, comprises: <??>(a) determining the presence or amount of A1E in a biological fluid sample; and <??>(b) drawing conclusions about the presence of sepsis or infection, its likely progression, severity and/or results of therapy, based on the presence and/or amount of (I); <??>(2) use of A1E for prevention or treatment of inflammatory diseases and infections, including sepsis; <??>(3) a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of (systemic) inflammation comprising: <??>(a) A1E or its peptide fragments, and a carrier; <??>(b) antibodies (Ab) raised against A1E, its fragments or processed forms, and a carrier; or <??>(c) an agent that at least partly inhibits the enzymatic activity of A1E, and a carrier; and <??>(4) an immunoadsorbent comprising a solid phase for selective binding of A1E from the blood circulation, for treatment of inflammation and sepsis. |