Screening method for identifying women at increased risk for imminent delivery
First Claim
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1. A method of screening for an increased risk of impending delivery comprising:
- a) obtaining a secretion sample from the vaginal cavity or the cervical canal of a pregnant patient after week 12 of pregnancy; and
b) determining the level of IL-6 in the sample, the presence of an elevated level of IL-6 in the sample indicating an increased risk of impending delivery.
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Abstract
The present invention provides an early, biochemical indication of increased risk of impending preterm delivery. The method comprises obtaining a cervicovaginal secretion sample from a pregnant patient after week 12 of gestation and determining the level of a local inflammatory product protein in the sample. The presence of an elevated level of the selected protein in the sample indicates an increased risk of delivery. The test is a screening assay that can detect women at risk of imminent delivery, as early as two to three weeks prior to delivery.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A method of screening for an increased risk of impending delivery comprising:
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a) obtaining a secretion sample from the vaginal cavity or the cervical canal of a pregnant patient after week 12 of pregnancy; and b) determining the level of IL-6 in the sample, the presence of an elevated level of IL-6 in the sample indicating an increased risk of impending delivery. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification