US Patent:
20060281131, Dec 14, 2006
Inventors:
Wayne Jensen - Wellington CO, US
Shirley Hunter - Fort Collins CO, US
Karen Sverlow - Dixon CA, US
Thomas McDonald - Omaha NE, US
Annika Weber - Omaha NE, US
Janet Andrews - Westminster CO, US
International Classification:
G01N 33/53
C12N 5/06
US Classification:
435007100, 435326000, 435007920, 977900000
Abstract:
The present invention provides isolated monoclonal antibodies that selectively bind albumin from animals. Also provided are methods using such antibodies for the detection of early renal disease in animals. The method includes the steps of (a) obtaining a sample from an animal to be tested; (b) contacting the sample with an antibody having a greater avidity for feline albumin than for other proteins or components in the sample; (c) detecting the complex formed by the antibody and albumin; and (d) determining the amount of albumin in the sample from the amount of antibody-albumin complex detected. An amount of albumin in the range of from 10 μg/ml to about 300 μg/ml indicates the presence of early renal disease.