The present invention relates to an in vitro method for the detection of Procalcitonin or a fragment thereof of at least 20 amino acid residues in length in a biological sample derived from a bodily fluid obtained from a subject, comprising the steps of: (i) contacting said sample with at least two antibodies or functional fragments thereof directed against different epitopes within Procalcitonin, and (ii) qualitatively or quantitatively detecting binding of said at least two antibodies to Procalcitonin or said fragment thereof, wherein binding indicates the presence or concentration of Procalcitonin or said fragment in said sample, wherein at least one antibody or functional fragment thereof is directed against an epitope comprised in the sequence spanning amino acid residues 2 to 52 of Procalcitonin. The invention also pertains to antibodies directed against an N-terminal epitope of Procalcitonin and kits comprising antibodies directed against PCT.

Antibiotics (Abx) are the world's most misused drugs. Antibiotics misuse occurs when the drug is administered in case of a non-bacterial infection (such as a viral infection) for which it is ineffective. Overall, it is estimated that 40-70% of the worldwide Abx courses are mis-prescribed. The financial and health consequences of Abx over-prescription include the direct cost of the drugs, as well as the indirect costs of their side effects, which are estimated at >$15 billion annually. Furthermore, over-prescription directly causes the emergence of Abx-resistant strains of bacteria, which are recognized as one of the major threats to public health today. This generates an immediate need for reliable diagnostics to assist physicians in correct Abx prescription, especially at the point-of-care (POC) where most Abx are prescribed. Accordingly, some aspects of the present invention provide methods using biomarkers for rapidly detecting the source of infection and administrating the appropriate treatment.

Methods of determining infection type are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises measuring the amount of TRAIL and/or IP10 no more than two days from symptom onset.

The present invention relates to an in vitro method for the detection of Procalcitonin or a fragment thereof of at least 20 amino acid residues in length in a biological sample derived from a bodily fluid obtained from a subject, comprising the steps of: (i) contacting said sample with at least two antibodies or functional fragments thereof directed against different epitopes within Procalcitonin, and (ii) qualitatively or quantitatively detecting binding of said at least two antibodies to Procalcitonin or said fragment thereof, wherein binding indicates the presence or concentration of Procalcitonin or said fragment in said sample, wherein at least one antibody or functional fragment thereof is directed against an epitope comprised in the sequence spanning amino acid residues 2 to 52 of Procalcitonin. The invention also pertains to antibodies directed against an N-terminal epitope of Procalcitonin and kits comprising antibodies directed against PCT.

The present disclosure provides methods for the prevention or treatment of metabolic disorders. In exemplary embodiments, methods of administering an anti-CGRP antibody are provided, optionally in combination with a second agent, wherein peripheral and/or hepatic glucose utilization is increased, thereby preventing or treating diseases and disorders associated with insulin resistance. Compositions comprising an anti-CGRP antibody are also provided, optionally in combination with a second agent, which are suitable for administration to increase peripheral and/or hepatic glucose utilization and thereby prevent or treat diseases and disorders associated with insulin resistance.

A device for detecting the presence of a target in a sample including a first port configured to receive a multi-layered substrate having a sample inlet and a reagent inlet. The sample inlet is connected to a first microfluidic channel and the reagent inlet is connected to both the first microfluidic channel and a second microfluidic channel. The second microfluidic channel has a longer pathway than the first microfluidic channel. A first test strip and a second test strip are each connected to both the first microfluidic channel and the second microfluidic channel, while a third test strip is connected only to the first microfluidic channel. Each test strip includes a conjugate section, a detection section, and a collection section.

Methods of determining infection type are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises measuring the amount of TRAIL and/or IP10 no more than two days from symptom onset.

Methods of diagnosing infections are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises measuring the amount of each of the polypeptides TRAIL, CRP, IP10 and at least one additional polypeptide selected from the group consisting of IL-6 and PCT.

The present invention relates to an in vitro method for the detection of Procalcitonin or a fragment thereof of at least 20 amino acid residues in length in a biological sample derived from a bodily fluid obtained from a subject, comprising the steps of: (i) contacting said sample with at least two antibodies or functional fragments thereof directed against different epitopes within Procalcitonin, and (ii) qualitatively or quantitatively detecting binding of said at least two antibodies to Procalcitonin or said fragment thereof, wherein binding indicates the presence or concentration of Procalcitonin or said fragment in said sample, wherein at least one antibody or functional fragment thereof is directed against an epitope comprised in the sequence spanning amino acid residues 2 to 52 of Procalcitonin. The invention also pertains to antibodies directed against an N-terminal epitope of Procalcitonin and kits comprising antibodies directed against PCT.

The present disclosure provides methods for the prevention or treatment of metabolic disorders. In exemplary embodiments, methods of administering an anti-CGRP antibody are provided, optionally in combination with a second agent, wherein peripheral and/or hepatic glucose utilization is increased, thereby preventing or treating diseases and disorders associated with insulin resistance. Compositions comprising an anti-CGRP antibody are also provided, optionally in combination with a second agent, which are suitable for administration to increase peripheral and/or hepatic glucose utilization and thereby prevent or treat diseases and disorders associated with insulin resistance.