IMMUNOLOGICAL TOOLS FOR THE DETECTION OF RESPIRATORY PATHOGENS

This will allow an easier, faster and more effective way to detect and diagnose respiratory infections caused by the most prevalent viruses and bacteria in Chile and the world. In addition, we may also estimate the severity of the respiratory infection.

PROBLEM TO SOLVE

There is incorrect management of epidemic outbreaks of acute respiratory tract infections, which are the leading cause of hospitalizations and pediatric deaths worldwide. This is because diagnosis is based on the observation of clinical signs and detection of pathogens tools that are slow. In addition, the diagnosis requires specialized personnel and laboratory equipment with high costs. This adds to a delay of between 6 and 24 hours to obtain results since technology and skilled personnel are not always available in all hospitals due to technical or economic limitations.

All of this leads to: i) a high number of infant hospitalizations, ii) saturation of emergency services; and iii) an increase in economic expenditure due to medical consultations, which become constant because of the lack of diagnostic accuracy.

¿HOW TO SOLVE IT?

The development of a fast test based on monoclonal antibodies has been proposed allowing in a simultaneous way the detection of infectious respiratory tract agents - viral and bacterial - in samples from nasopharyngeal secretions, which also include a predictor of the patient's immune response to the infection. This fast detection will give us more control over patients with respiratory infections, helping to limit the spread of viruses and reduce unnecessary hospitalizations and treatments.

RESEARCHER

Dra. Susan Bueno

Since 2007 to date she has been an associate professor at the School of Biological Sciences of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile . Currently she is working in the Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology of the Faculty of Biological Sciences of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.

Dr. Bueno has taken courses in Medical Technology, has a Bachelor in Medical Technology with a Major in Clinical Laboratory, Blood Bank and Hematology (1994-1999); a Doctorate in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Chile (2000-2004); Postdoctoral training in the Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, School of Biological Sciences Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (2004-2007).

READ MORE

INNOVATION WITH A POSITIVE IMPACT ON SOCIETY

Considering the severe health and economic repercussions associated with respiratory infections in the pediatric population, it is very important to identify the infectious agents responsible for infections at an early stage and to determine the severity index in each patient.

By achieving this, we will be able to: a) isolate patients infected with a particular pathogen, avoiding intra-hospital co-infections, b) establish the most accurate treatment, reducing indiscriminate use of antibiotics in public hospitals, and c) quickly identify patients with respiratory symptoms that require more controlled follow-up or even hospitalization.

PATENTS APPLIED FOR

  1. WIPO
  2. América
  3. Chile
  4. Argentina
  1. Uruguay
  2. Brasil
  3. Peru
  4. Mexico
  1. USA
  2. Canada
  3. EPO
  1. Asia
  2. China
  3. Pakistan
  4. India
  1. Africa
  2. South Africa

INFOGRAPHIC

Patent Map

Go to Map