Host Response Diagnostic Testing

Changing Times aiding Diagnostic Advancement

Management of the COVID-19 pandemic is causing long delays associated with PCR testing. However, currently some are using newly developed point-of-care tests to try and accurately identify COVID-19 in patients. While still under review it does show the use of host response diagnostic tools being researched and of interest presently.

Other companies have also taken to using immune system protein responses to produce commercial products. One such company has a novel test designed to assess protein markers to see if a patient has a viral or bacterial infection. While this sounds un-remarkable at first it is likely to be readily used more than the COVID-19 test mentioned prior. 

The driver in the host response diagnostic market is the identification of proteins in the immune system, how they are created, interact with others and denature. These protein lifecycles can be complex yet yielding interesting commercial products such as testing and monitoring devices to assess the health of patients and types of infection causing challenges. Advanced host responses include the secretion of proteins such as interferon-gamma in the response to another protein originating from a direct interaction with the infection being tested. 

Incorrect Antibiotic Prescriptions

If the bacterial infection is serious these infections need to be treated by antibiotics. These works by disrupting the metabolic process of the bacteria and can be achieved in a number of processes. However, as antibiotics have been over or under prescribed bacteria evolve to counter these and can be a challenge now to even the most advanced antibiotics. As such government agencies have tried to limit the usage of more advanced treatments due to not having a good response to when these become obsolete. As such it is critical that correct prescriptions are given in terms of dosage and type.

The Bodies Response to Viral and Bacterial Infection   

Viruses use cells to hide inside of which makes it difficult for antibodies to reach them. T-lymphocytes can identify and kill cells containing viruses as the surface of the cell changes as the virus replicates inside. Viruses that are expelled are quickly consumed by antibodies that are produced in the response to the disease. In addition to increasing antibodies, the body also increases its blood flow which produces inflammation to block the infection and allow antibodies to destroy the bacteria more easily.

Immune System for host response diagnostic testing 

The following are useful proteins that can help develop ELISA tests to quickly and accurately answer the key question of what infection, viral or bacterial does the patient have. These may also be utilised in future analytical tools due to what they can identify.  

TNF-related apoptosis induced ligand (TRAIL) mediates cell response to infections. Much research since it’s discovery in the mid 90’s has been conducted including its useful attributes for detecting HIV and other viral infections. As such it can be an effective viral infection identification marker.

Interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10) is produced by antigen stimulated lymphocytes during an infection and is useful in bacterial determination. Studies already conducted for bacteria such as Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) show its use as an adequate protein marker for bacterial infections.  

C-Reactive Protein (CRP) is made in a person’s liver and enters the bloodstream in response to inflammation caused by infection. It is a useful marker in identifying that an infection is actually taking place and commonly used to identify bacterial infections. For example, this is useful to determine if the pneumonia found during testing is part of the natural flora and fauna of the patient or an actual infection.

As you can see these proteins are very useful and further work may lead to further exciting advances in host response diagnostic testing.