Methods for determining whether certain compounds, in particular crystals, are present in a sample of a biological fluid that indicates an individual has a particular disease or condition, such as but not limited to gout, pseudogout or urinary tract stones. In some embodiments, the methods include the steps of digestion and filtration of a sample of synovial fluid in order to isolate, if present, monosodium urate monohydrate (MSU), calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD), or calcium phosphate crystals from the sample, wherein the filtrate is analyzed with a Raman device to ascertain the presence and type of the crystals. Devices for performing steps of the method are disclosed.

Methods and kits for predicting infusion reaction risk and antibody-mediated loss of response during intravenous PEGylated uricase therapy in gout patients is provided. Routine SUA monitoring can be used to identify patients receiving PEGylated uricase who may no longer benefit from treatment and who are at greater risk for infusion reactions.

Antibodies against citrullinated protein antigens (ACPA) have shown their relevance for the diagnosis and possibly pathogenesis in arthritis. Described are means and methods for determining antibodies against homocitrulline-containing proteins or carbamylated proteins/peptides (anti-CarP) for the classification of individuals suffering from, or at risk of suffering from, arthritis.

Methods for determining whether certain compounds, in particular crystals, are present in a sample of a biological fluid that indicates an individual has a particular disease or condition, such as but not limited to gout, pseudogout or urinary tract stones. In some embodiments, the methods include the steps of digestion and filtration of a sample of synovial fluid in order to isolate, if present, monosodium urate monohydrate (MSU), calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD), or calcium phosphate crystals from the sample, wherein the filtrate is analyzed with a Raman device to ascertain the presence and type of the crystals. Devices for performing steps of the method are disclosed.

The present invention relates to a method for determining the propensity of a fluid for calcification.

Methods and kits for predicting infusion reaction risk and antibody-mediated loss of response during intravenous PEGylated uricase therapy in gout patients is provided. Routine SUA monitoring can be used to identify patients receiving PEGylated uricase who may no longer benefit from treatment and who are at greater risk for infusion reactions.

Methods and kits for predicting infusion reaction risk and antibody-mediated loss of response during intravenous PEGylated uricase therapy in gout patients is provided. Routine SUA monitoring can be used to identify patients receiving PEGylated uricase who may no longer benefit from treatment and who are at greater risk for infusion reactions.

The present invention relates to a method for determining the propensity of a fluid for calcification.

Antibodies against citrullinated protein antigens (ACPA) have shown their relevance for the diagnosis and possibly pathogenesis in arthritis. Described are means and methods for determining antibodies against homocitrulline-containing proteins or carbamylated proteins/peptides (anti-CarP) for the classification of individuals suffering from, or at risk of suffering from, arthritis.

The present invention relates to a method for determining the propensity of a fluid for calcification characterized by the following steps: (i) adding a soluble calcium salt and a soluble phosphate salt to a sample of the fluid; (ii) incubating the sample at conditions allowing the formation of calciprotein particles (CPPs); and (iii) determining one or more of the following: (a) the rate of the formation of primary and/or secondary CPPs; (b) the amount of primary and/or secondary CPPs; and/or (c) the rate of the transition of primary CPPs into secondary CPPs, wherein an increase in one or more of (a), (b) and/or (c) of step (iii) indicates an increased propensity of the fluid for calcification.