METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE SUSCEPTIBILITY OF A SUBJECT TO INFECTION

摘要

The present invention relates to diagnosis of neutropenia and to methods for determining susceptibility to infection. The invention also relates to methods for treating neutropenia and treating and/or preventing infections. The inventors have shown that a reduction in the levels of LL-37 in the saliva and neutrophils results in an increased susceptibility to periodontal infections caused mainly by bacteria from the normal oral flora. The present invention provides a method for determining the susceptibility of a subject to infection, which method comprises: i) providing a sample from said subject; ii) detecting any LL-37 present in said sample; iii) optionally comparing the level of LL-37 in said sample to a control. sample; and iv) determining the susceptibility of said subject to infection, wherein no LL-37 or a low level of LL-37 indicates that said subject is susceptible to infection.