What does high stool calprotectin mean?

An elevated calprotectin level is a person’s stool indicates that inflammation is likely present in the intestines but does not indicate either its location or cause. In general, the degree of elevation is associated with the severity of the inflammation.

What is calprotectin fecal immunoassay?

Fecal Calprotectin is an indicator of the presence of neutrophils in stool and is not specific for IBD. Other intestinal ailments including GI infections and colorectal cancer can result in elevated concentrations of calprotectin.

What do you need to know about faecal calprotectin?

What is faecal calprotectin? Faecal calprotectin is a substance that your body releases when there is inflammation in your intestines. Higher levels of faecal calprotectin – which is a protein biomarker – are associated with active i nflammatory bowel disease (IBD) such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.

What does it mean to have calprotectin in your stool?

The concentration of calprotectin in stool reflects the number of PMNs migrating into the gut lumen. Calprotectin is a calcium- and zinc-binding protein produced by PMNs, monocytes, and squamous epithelial cells, except those in normal skin. After binding calcium, it can resist degradation by leukocytic and bacterial enzymes.

What does having a raised calprotectin level mean?

Stool sample pot and scoop What does having a raised faecal calprotectin level mean? Having a raised calprotectin level generally means you have active inflammation in your body. This is generally associated with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.

How is calprotectin expressed in the immune system?

It is expressed primarily by granulocytes and, to a lesser degree, by monocytes/macrophages and epithelial cells. In neutrophils, calprotectin comprises almost 60% of the total cytoplasmic protein content. Activation of the intestinal immune system leads to recruitment of cells from the innate immune system, including neutrophils.