Patents by Inventor Gerhard Walzl

Gerhard Walzl has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11613782
    Abstract: The invention provides a gene signature for use in determining a likelihood of a latent tuberculosis (TB) infection in a subject transitioning to active TB disease. The gene signature comprises at least SEPT4 and BLK, and optionally also GAS6 and/or CD1C. Expression levels of these genes are detected in a sample from the subject, and the ratios of expression of at least two of the above genes are calculated (e.g. SEPT4:BLK, SEPT4:CD1C, GAS6:BLK and/or GAS6:CD1C). A score is assigned to each ratio, the score being indicative of the likelihood of the latent TB infection transitioning into active TB disease, based on the ratio for the respective gene pair. The subject can be identified as having a latent TB infection that is likely to transition into active TB disease or that is not likely to transition into active TB disease based on the score or on the average of the scores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignees: UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN, STELLENBOSCH UNIVERSITY, SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FOERDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN E.V, UNITED KINGDOM RESEARCH AND INNOVATION
    Inventors: Sara Suliman, Ethan Greene Thompson, Jayne Suzanne Sutherland, Stefan H. E. Kaufmann, Thomas Jens Scriba, Daniel Edward Zak, Gerhard Walzl
  • Publication number: 20210363580
    Abstract: The invention provides a gene signature for use in determining a likelihood of a latent tuberculosis (TB) infection in a subject transitioning to active TB disease. The gene signature comprises at least SEPT4 and BLK, and optionally also GAS6 and/or CD1C. Expression levels of these genes are detected in a sample from the subject, and the ratios of expression of at least two of the above genes are calculated (e.g. SEPT4:BLK, SEPT4:CD1C, GAS6:BLK and/or GAS6:CD1C). A score is assigned to each ratio, the score being indicative of the likelihood of the latent TB infection transitioning into active TB disease, based on the ratio for the respective gene pair. The subject can be identified as having a latent TB infection that is likely to transition into active TB disease or that is not likely to transition into active TB disease based on the score or on the average of the scores.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: Sara Suliman, Ethan Greene Thompson, Jayne Suzanne Sutherland, Stefan H.E. Kaufmann, Thomas Jens Scriba, Daniel Edward Zak, Gerhard Walzl
  • Publication number: 20210199668
    Abstract: Methods, devices, kits and computer-implemented methods for diagnosing (and optionally treating) tuberculous meningitis (TBM) are provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises testing a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sample from a subject suspected of having TBM for the presence of MPO and at least two other biomarkers, at least one of the other biomarkers being selected from the group consisting of IFN-?, sICAM-1, VEGF-A and CXCL8. For example, the method can comprise testing the sample for MPO, IFN-? and VEGF-A or for MPO, IFN-?, sICAM-1 and CXCL8. In another embodiment, the method comprises testing a blood sample from a subject suspected of having TBM for the presence of at least one biomarker selected from the group consisting of adipsin (complement factor D), Ab42 and IL-10, and at least two other biomarkers. In one example, the method comprises testing the sample for the presence of adipsin (complement factor D), Ab42 and EL-10.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: Novel Njweipi Chegou, Regan Shane Solomons, Gerhard Walzl, Masilo Charles Manyelo
  • Patent number: 10001481
    Abstract: A method of diagnosing tuberculosis (TB) disease and distinguishing between active TB and latent TB infection in a subject is described herein. A sample from the subject is stimulated with at least one Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) infection phase-dependent antigen selected from Rv0081, Rv2032, Rv1737c, Rv2389c, Rv0867c, TB18.2, Rv2099c, Rv1733c, M.tb PPD, PHA and ESAT-6/CFP-10 and the presence of at least one host marker in the sample is detected, the host marker being selected from EGF, TGF-?, TNF-?, VEGF, RANTES, IL-12(p40), IL-12(p70), IL-10, IP-10, IFN-?2, fractalkine, IFN-?, IL-13, IL-1Ra, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, MIP-1?, ENA-78, BCA-1, TARC, X6-Ckine, eotaxin, eotaxin-2, SCF, APOA-1, APOE, HPALBN, HCF, Serum amyloid protein A (SAA), C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid protein P (SAP), TIMP-1, MIP-1?, IL-6, GM-CSF, IL-1?, MMP-9, MMP-2, MCP-1, TRAIL, IL-15, IL-17F, IL-22, TNF-?, MCP-2 and MCP-4. Additional host markers may also be detected in an unstimulated sample from the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Stellenbosch University
    Inventors: Gerhard Walzl, Novel Njweipi Chegou, Paulin Essone Ndong
  • Publication number: 20170248596
    Abstract: Methods for obtaining a tuberculosis assessment in a subject are provided. Aspects of the methods include identifying a subpopulation of a cellular sample of the subject having an expression level for a tuberculosis host biomarker below a threshold expression level to produce a biomarker signature; and obtaining a tuberculosis assessment for the subject from the biomarker signature. Aspects of the invention further include reagents, devices, systems, and kits thereof that find use in practicing the subject methods are provided. The methods and compositions find use in a variety of applications, including diagnosis and monitoring of TB.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Farida BOUZAHZAH, Gerhard WALZL, Alex LASTOVICH
  • Publication number: 20150141279
    Abstract: A method of diagnosing tuberculosis (TB) disease and distinguishing between active TB and latent TB infection in a subject is described herein. A sample from the subject is stimulated with at least one Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) infection phase-dependent antigen selected from Rv0081, Rv2032, Rv1737c, Rv2389c, Rv0867c, TB18.2, Rv2099c, Rv1733c, M.tb PPD, PHA and ESAT-6/CFP-10 and the presence of at least one host marker in the sample is detected, the host marker being selected from EGF, TGF-?, TNF-?, VEGF, RANTES, IL-12(p40), IL-12(p70), IL-10, IP-10, IFN-?2, fractalkine, IFN-?, IL-13, IL-1Ra, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, MIP-1?, ENA-78, BCA-1, TARC, X6-Ckine, eotaxin, eotaxin-2, SCF, APOA-1, APOE, HPALBN, HCF, Serum amyloid protein A (SAA), C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid protein P (SAP), TIMP-1, MIP-1?, IL-6, GM-CSF, IL-1?, MMP-9, MMP-2, MCP-1, TRAIL, IL-15, IL-17F, IL-22, TNF-?, MCP-2 and MCP-4. Additional host markers may also be detected in an unstimulated sample from the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: Stellenbosch University
    Inventors: Gerhard Walzl, Novel Njweipi Chegou, Paulin Essone Ndong