The long-term objective of this research is development, optimization and commercial sale of an innovative, rapid and cost-effective screening method for NEOPTERIN and its hydrogenated congeners in body fluids. Ultimately, in Phase II this will take the form of a visible cut-off EIA screen performed directly on a blood spot obtained by finger or ear-stick. Neopterin levels are a sensitive indicator of T-lymphocyte activity and have significance as a screening test of blood donors for infectious diseases and as an early sign of transplant rejection. Immediate objectives of the Phase I feasibility study are: development of polyclonal antibodies of the Phase I feasibility study are: development of polyclonal antibodies to neopterin and its hydrogenated forms (dihydro- and tetrahydroneopterin); development and optimization of an I-125 RIA for total neopterin determination in serum, assessing feasibility for its conversion to neopterin determination in a 1/8" filter paper blood-spot and to neopterin EIA (Phase II development); and preliminary conversion to a prototype RIA for total neopterin in capillary blood on filter paper. This highly innovative new screening test has tremendous potential for commercial and clinical applications which include: AIDS screening--to complement and pre-date HIV positivity, blood donor screening--to exclude acute infectious disease or catastrophic chronic illness when to symptoms are apparent; and transplant rejection--to detect rejection episodes prior to clinical symptoms.
Thesaurus Terms: blood cells, t lymphocytes, diagnostic tests, design, development and evaluation of diagnostic tests, immunity, cellular, cell-mediated immune responses, immunity, cellular, leukocyte activation, transformation and proliferation, immunological tests and immunoassay, immunoassay, pteridines analogs blood (hematologic) tests, blood transfusion, blood donors, chemical synthesis, design and production, communicable diseases, diagnostic services, mass screening, diagnostic tests, early diagnosis, diagnostic tests, rapid diagnosis, immunological preparations, immunological tests and immunoassay, radioimmunoassay, immunology, antibodies, immune sera, immunopathology, immunologic deficiency disorders, acquireddeficiency disorders, aids, immunopathology, immunologic deficiency disorders, acquireddeficiency disorders, aids diagnosis, tissue compatibility-transplant, isoalloimmunity, radiopharmacology animals, chordates, mammals, lagomorphs, human, human tissues, fluids etc. from non-related sources outside immediate pr oject, radioisotopes, iodine, radiotracers
