Stool for Calprotectin

Specimen Required

STOOL

Fasting Required

Purpose of the Test

To detect intestinal inflammation; to distinguish between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and non-inflammatory bowel conditions (e.g. Irritable Bowel Syndrome, IBS); to monitor IBD activity

When this test is required

A faecal calprotectin test may be requested when a person has symptoms that suggest that gastrointestinal inflammation may be present and when a doctor wants to distinguish between IBD and a non-inflammatory bowel condition (e.g. IBS).Symptoms will vary from person to person and over time. They may include one or more of the following: Bloody or watery diarrhoea Abdominal cramps or pain Fever Weight loss Rectal bleeding WeaknessTesting for faecal calprotectin may be performed when a doctor wants to determine whether an endoscopy (colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy) is likely or less likely to be necessary.When a person has been diagnosed with IBD, a faecal calprotectin test may be requested whenever a flare-up is suspected, both to confirm disease activity and to evaluate its severity.

What the Test Detects

Calprotectin is a protein released by a type of white blood cell called a neutrophil. When there is inflammation in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, neutrophils move to the area and release calprotectin, resulting in an increased amount released into the stool. This test measures the amount of calprotectin in the stool as a way to detect inflammation in the GI tract. Intestinal inflammation is associated with inflammatory bowel…Calprotectin is a protein released by a type of white blood cell called a neutrophil. When there is inflammation in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, neutrophils move to the area and release calprotectin, resulting in an increased amount released into the stool. This test measures the amount of calprotectin in the stool as a way to detect inflammation in the GI tract. Intestinal inflammation is associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and with some bacterial GI infections, but it is not associated with many other disorders that affect bowel function and cause similar symptoms. Faecal calprotectin can be used to help distinguish between inflammatory and non-inflammatory conditions. IBD is a group of chronic disorders characterised by inflamed and damaged tissues in the lining of the intestinal tract. The cause of IBD is not known, but these diseases are thought to be due to an autoimmune process that has been triggered by a genetic predisposition, a viral illness, and/or an environmental factor. The most common inflammatory bowel diseases are Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). People with IBD typically have flare-ups of active disease that alternate with periods of remission. During a flare-up, a person may experience frequent bouts of watery and/or bloody diarrhoea, abdominal pain, weight loss, and fever. Between these flare-ups, symptoms frequently subside. Many people may go through extended periods of remission between flare-ups. Calprotectin testing can be useful in monitoring disease activity. The test is not specific or diagnostic for IBD, but it may be done to detect and evaluate the degree of inflammation. How is the sample collected for testing? A stool sample is collected in a clean container provided by the laboratory. This sample should not be contaminated by urine or water. Is any test preparation needed to ensure the quality of the sample? No test preparation is needed. See MoreSee Less

Preparation for the Test

None

Sample Requirements

A stool sample collected in a clean container

Additional Notes

Anything that causes inflammation in the intestines can cause an increase in stool calprotectin.Calprotectin can be increased with the intestinal tissue damage and bleeding that is sometimes seen with use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).Calprotectin is related to another stool test, lactoferrin. Both are substances that are released by white blood cells in the stool and are associated with intestinal inflammation. The clinical use of these tests is still relatively new. They are promising as non-invasive ways of evaluating intestinal inflammation and are potentially more sensitive than stool white blood cell testing, but they are not yet available in all laboratories. Of the two tests, faecal calprotectin has been the most extensively studied and it is requested more frequently than lactoferrin. Usually one or the other will be requested, but not both. Samples for analysis of faecal calprotectin may have to be sent to a specialist laboratory for analysis, as this is a specialised test and not available universally throughout the UK.In some cases, faecal calprotectin may be low even when inflammation is present (a false negative). This is most frequently seen with children.

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