Calprotectin (IDK® Calprotectin) (MRP 8/14) (Stool, 1h) ELISA

Alternative names:
• Calgranulin A: MRP8, S100A8, CP-10 (in mouse)
• Calgranulin B: MRP14, S100A9,
• MRP8/14: L1, (p8,14), p34
Calprotectin is a calcium-binding protein secreted predominantly by neutrophils
and monocytes. Faecal calprotectin is a marker for neoplastic and inflammatory gastrointestinal
diseases.
It is often difficult to distinguish between irritable bowel syndrome and chronic inflammatory
bowel disease. This leads in many cases to extensive and unnecessary
colonoscopic examinations. The calprotectin test allows clear differentiation between
the two patient groups. Faecal calprotectin levels correlate significantly with
histologic and endoscopic assessment of disease activity in Morbus Crohn‘s disease
and ulcerative colitis as well as with the faecal excretion of indium-111-labelled neutrophilic
granulocytes that has been suggested as the “gold standard“ of disease
activity in inflammatory bowel disease. However, measuring 111-indium-labelled
granulocytes is very costly (patient’s hospitalisation, analysis and disposal of isotopic
material) and is connected with radioactive exposition of the patients. For this reason,
a repeated application to children and pregnant women is not recommended.
Elevated levels of calprotectin are a much better predictor of relapse than standard
inflammatory markers (CRP, ESR HB). Comparing this marker with standard faecal occult
blood screening in colorectal cancer demonstrates clearly the diagnostic advantages
of the faecal calprotectin test. The parameter is of a high diagnostic value: if
the calprotectin level in stool is low, the probability is high that no organic intestinal
disease exists.