Pro SP-B and NT-proBNP based diagnosis in patients with pneumonia

摘要

The present invention is directed to a method for diagnosing non-cardiac lung damage in a subject suffering from pneumonia, but having no history of heart failure. The method is based on determining the amount of proSP-B in a sample from the subject, and comparing the, thus, determined amount to a reference amount, wherein the reference amount is derived from a reference subject suffering from pneumonia, but having no history of heart failure. The present invention also relates to a method for the early diagnosis of acute lung injury in a subject who suffers from pneumonia. The method is based on the determination of the amount of a brain natriuretic peptide. Further contemplated by the present invention are kits and devices adapted to carry out the methods of the present invention.