Calprotectin and lactoferrin are proteins released from neutrophils at sites of inflammation. Their fecal levels correlate with the level of acute inflammation in the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract.
Indications for use:
(1) monitoring a patient with idiopathic inflammatory disease (IBD) in remission, identifying a patient at risk for an impending relapse
(2) distinguishing between inflammatory and noninflammatory conditions (such as irritable bowel syndrome) in a patient with abdominal symptoms
Factors affecting fecal levels:
(1) type of inflammation
(2) intensity of the inflammation
(3) mucosal ulceration
(4) distance from the anus (the further away the greater the degradation)
(5) the amount of stool
(6) gastrointestinal hemorrhage
Calprotectin is expressed in micrograms per gram of stool.
Lacterferrin is expressed in micrograms per mL of stool.
Fecal Measurement
Elevated Levels Associated with an Impending Relapse of IBD
calprotectin
> 150 micrograms/g
lactoferrin
> 400 micromgrams/mL
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
