METHOD OF DIAGNOSING CARTILAGE TISSUE ABNORMALITIES

摘要

METHOD OF DIAGNOSING CARTILAGE TISSUE ABNORMALITIES It is found that abnormal levels of keratan sulfate in the peripheral blood are indicative of abnormalities of cartilage or cartilage-like tissues. Specifically, elevated levels of keratan sulfate in the peripheral blood plasma or serum are indicative of osteoarthritis and either substantially complete absence of or very elevated levels of keratan sulfate in the peripheral blood are indicative of macular dystrophy and related disorders. The level of keratan sulfate in the peripheral blood is determined by an immunoassay using a monoclonal antibody. Preferably the immunoassay employs a colorimetric reporter system.