Abstract: A method is provided for determining the severity of appendicitis in a patient that includes testing a blood, serum or plasma sample from the patient for the quantity of MRP8/14 in the sample and comparing it with the quantity of MRP8/14 present in standard samples correlated with an appendicitis severity scoring system. A histologically-based appendicitis severity scoring system is also provided. Immunoassays and kits for performing the appendicitis assays of this invention are also provided, as are standard samples and data correlating MRP8/14 quantities present in patient samples to histologically-based appendicitis severity grades. The methods and immunoassay devices and kits of this invention are useful for managing the treatment of patients presenting with appendicitis symptoms.

Abstract: A method is provided for diagnosing appendicitis in a patient that includes identifying at least one symptom of appendicitis in the patient and identifying the presence of at least one molecule differentially associated with appendicitis in a fluid or tissue sample of said patient. MRP-8/14 and haptoglobin are examples of molecules differentially associated with appendicitis. Devices and kits for performing the appendicitis assays of this invention are also provided. In one embodiment, the device is in a flow-through immunoassay format for testing blood samples. Further, methods for screening for molecules differentially associated with appendicitis are provided that include the use of samples from patients being operated on for suspected appendicitis.