Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are common entities in the Western population. Both conditions may present with similar clinical features such as diarrhoea and abdominal pain. Patients with IBD oscillate between periods of active and inactive disease and may even present with concomitant functional IBS. The discrimination of IBS from active IBD can be resourcefully challenging for clinicians and may delay effective treatment. Some investigations may also be perceived as uncomfortable or invasive for the patient. Clinical criteria such as ROME II IBS have been devised to aid the diagnosis of IBS. The determination of inflammatory activity is crucial for patients with IBD for the diagnosis, monitoring and step up of therapy. Clinical indices are widely used, but are hampered by the subjective nature of symptom reporting and have been shown to be poorly correlated with mucosal activity.  Colonoscopy is the accepted gold standard for investigation of the colon, but is invasive and associated with risks. Whilst there is emerging evidence of activation of the mucosal innate defence system toward a pro-inflammatory response in IBS patients, the absence of endoscopic and histological inflammation remains an accepted approach to the diagnosis of IBS by the bedside.

Lactoferrin (LF) is an iron binding glycoprotein secreted by most mucosal membranes and a major component of secondary granules of polymorphonuclear neutrophils, a component of the inflammatory response. Elevated LF has been used as a marker of active IBDand for monitoring patients for response to treatment. Some studies report a high sensitivity of LF for active IBD in comparison with IBS.

Ordering Information:

• 1. Cassette Cat No.: AN1020C
• 2. Dipstick Cat No.: AN1020S

Helpful Documents:

• 1. Instruction for use
• 2. MSDS