Methods and materials for detection of sepsis and septic-like systemic infections

摘要

A method (I) for the differential diagnosis for early recognition of sepsis or severe infections, particularly sepsis-like systemic infections, is new. A method (I) for the differential diagnosis for early recognition of sepsis or severe infections, particularly sepsis-like systemic infections, is new and comprises determining, in a patient sample: (a) the amount of at least one peptide prohormone (II), other than procalcitonin, and/or derived peptides, the presence and/or amount of (II) being correlated with the presence of sepsis or similar infections, its severity and/or the results of treatment; or (b) the amount of dipeptidyl-peptidase IV (III) in a serum or plasma sample, with a significantly reduced level being indicative of sepsis or similar infection. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) procalcitonin 3-116 (IV), produced by gene technology methods; (2) production of (IV); and (3) a method for measuring (IV) as an indication-independent diagnostic parameter.