Method for screening for bacterial conjunctivitis
US7727513B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 15, 2005 |
| Grant date | Jun 1, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 24, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC12Q1/14
- WIPO fieldBiotechnology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method for rapidly detecting infectious conjunctivitis in a host is provided. The method includes contacting an ocular test sample with a chromogen (e.g., Reichardt's dye) that exhibits a color change in the presence of a microbe. The present inventors have discovered that the extent of the color change may vary depending on whether the microbe is a bacteria or virus. Without intending to be limited by theory, the present inventors believe that the chromogen interacts with the peptidoglycan-based cell wall structure of bacteria to induce a color change that is even more apparent at infectious levels. It is believed that this interaction occurs to a much greater extent in bacteria than in viruses. Accordingly, although the chromogen may still undergo a color change in the presence of the viruses, it is typically to a much lesser extent. In this manner, the degree of color change of the chromogen may be used in the present invention as a mechanism for differentiating between viral and bacterial conjunctivitis.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.