Calprotectin is a 36kDa calcium and zinc binding protein expressed by the gene S100 calcium-binding protein A8, S100A8. It accounts for 30 to 40% of neutrophils’ cytosol. In vitro studies show it has bacteriostatic and fungistatic properties. It is resistant to enzymatic degradation, and can be easily measured in faeces.

The main diseases that cause an increased excretion of faecal calprotectin are infectious colitis,
Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and neoplasms (cancer).

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are a group of conditions that cause a pathological inflammation of the bowel wall. Neutrophils influx into the bowel lumen as a result of the inflammatory process. Measurement of faecal calprotectin has been shown to be strongly correlated with 111-indium-labelled leucocytes – considered the gold standard measurement of intestinal inflammation. Levels of faecal calprotectin are normal in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Although a relatively new test, faecal calprotectin is regularly used as indicator for IBD during treatment and as diagnostic marker

Specific indications for measuring calprotectin are in:

Distinguishing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) from functional bowel disease (IBS), and thus avoid the need for invasive tests such as colonoscopy.

Assessing efficacy of IBD treatments.

Predicting relapses or flares of IBD.

Offer an alternate diagnostic test for patients phobic of needles or endoscopy.

Ordering Information:

• 1. Cassette Cat No.: AN1015C
• 2. Dipstick Cat No.: AN1015S

Helpful Documents:

• 1. Instruction for use
• 2. MSDS