The present invention relates, in part, to systems configured to obtain samples from an organism in an autonomous manner. Such systems can employ a cartridge configured to provide bait to attract an organism, as well as channels to store and/or test samples obtained from the organism.

The invention is directed to methods to identify improbable mutations in the heavy or light chain variable domain of an antibody, methods to identify antigens which bind to antibodies comprising such improbable mutations, and methods of using such antigens to induce immune responses.

An object of the invention is to provide a detection reagent which can detect human metapneumovirus in an actual analyte with an excellent sensitivity. The invention relates to a human metapneumovirus detection reagent characterized by containing an antibody which recognizes the matrix protein of human metapneumovirus, an immunological assay for human metapneumovirus including detecting human metapneumovirus in an analyte with an antibody which recognizes the matrix protein of human metapneumovirus and the like.

The invention aims to suppress non-specific reaction effectively in an immunochromatographic assay method for an analyte. The object can be achieved by an immunochromatographic assay method for an analyte, the method including using a test strip including the following (1) to (3): (1) a sample pad containing a sample application region for applying a biological sample that may contain the analyte; (2) an insoluble membrane containing at least one detection region to which a binding partner immunologically reactive with the analyte is immobilized, wherein the binding partner is immobilized to a label; and (3) a conjugate containing a binding partner immunologically reactive with the analyte, wherein the binding partner is immobilized to a label.

There is provided a method of identifying a flavivirus infection selected from Zika virus (ZIKV), Dengue virus (DENV) and combination thereof in a subject, the method comprising determining whether a sample of the subject reacts with a peptide associated with a certain relative binding capacity. Also claimed are kits, isolated peptides, immune system stimulating compositions comprising specific peptides and a method of distinguishing ZIKV infection from DENV infection.

Embodiments may include a rapid test device that provide rapid detection of pathogen infection and techniques for rapid assessment of immunity to the pathogen. In an embodiment, a device may comprise a mechanism configured to hold a cartridge configured to receive a test sample, the cartridge comprising: a first chamber configured to receive the test sample, the first chamber pre-filled with micromagnetic particles, a first reservoir pre-filled with secondary antibodies labeled with a fluorescent compound, a mechanism configured to move the secondary antibodies from the first reservoir to the first chamber, a computer system to control the mechanism configured to move the magnetic device to: mix the micromagnetic particles with the test sample by moving the micromagnetic particles, mix the micromagnetic particles with the secondary antibodies, and move the micromagnetic particles to the detection region, and circuitry configured to detect fluorescence of the fluorescent compound in the detection region.

There is provided a method of evaluating risk of severe outcome of an infectious disease and/or an inflammatory disease in a patient, the method comprising: determining/measuring the number of one or more immune cells selected from the group consisting of VD2 T cells, CD8 T cells, and immature neutrophils in a sample obtained from the patient, wherein the patient has an enhanced risk of severe infectious disease and/or inflammatory disease outcome when: (i) the ratio of immature neutrophils to VD2 T cell is at least 2:1, and/or (ii) the ratio of immature neutrophils to CD8 T cell is at least 0.5:1. Also disclosed are method of treating a patient with a severe infectious disease and/or inflammatory disease and kit for use in methods thereof.

Methods for detecting the presence of sever acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are provided. The methods comprise incubating a sample comprising T-cells from an individual with one or more SARS-CoV-2 antigens, each antigen having a T-cell epitope, and detecting a change in state of T-cells in the sample. The change in state may be detected by determining the presence or level of a secreted, immune response indicator, such as interferon-gamma (IFN-γ).

A method for measuring influenza B virus by an immunoassay, which method enables specific detection of influenza B virus with a higher sensitivity than conventional methods, and a device or a kit therefor are disclosed. The method for measuring influenza B virus includes carrying out an immunoassay of influenza B virus by a sandwich method using two kinds of monoclonal antibodies each of which specifically reacts with the region of the 125th to 248th amino acids of matrix protein (M1) of influenza B virus, which two kinds of monoclonal antibodies are capable of binding to the region of the 125th to 248th amino acids of M1 at the same time, or antigen-binding fragments thereof.

Assays, arrays, and methods for distinguishing a bacterial infection from a viral infection are disclosed. The antibiotic crisis is in part driven by over prescription of antibiotics. There is a tendency, particular in pediatrics, to give an antibiotic even for viral infections. Thus, embodiments herein are directed to the problem of distinguishing a bacterial infection from a viral infection to reduce unnecessary antibiotic usage.