abstract |
The invention relates to a method for the diagnosis, prognosis, risk assessment, risk stratification, monitoring, therapy guidance and/or therapy control of an infectious disease in a subject, wherein said method comprises providing a sample of said subject; determining a level of matrix metalloprotease-8 (MMP-8) or fragment(s) thereof in a sample of said subject, wherein said level of MMP-8 or fragment(s) thereof distinguishes between the presence and absence of an infectious disease in a patient with symptoms of a systemic inflammatory condition. In a preferred embodiment the invention relates to the determination of procalcitonin (PCT) and MMP-8 and their combined use to distinguish between the presence and absence of infectious disease in patients with symptoms of systemic inflammatory condition. The invention also relates to a computer-implemented method and a kit for conducting the method of the invention. |