| Label Mnemonic: | CALPRO |
| Epic code: | LAB8274 |
| Downtime form: | Doctor/Provider Orders - Pathology Core and Specialty Care Nursery |
6240-8 RCP
356-8593
) |
| Stool Specimen Collection Container With Plastic Lid (Hospital Stores #924373) |
Preferred Minimum: Collect 5 g stool to an unpreserved stool transport collection container.
Absolute Minimum: 1 g stool
Specimens in media or preservatives.
3 – 5 days upon receipt at reference laboratory
<50.0 mcg/g (Normal)
50.0-120 mcg/g (Borderline)
>120 mcg/g (Abnormal)
Reference values apply to all ages.
Calprotectin concentrations below 50.0 mcg/g are not suggestive of an active inflammatory process within the gastrointestinal system. For patients experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms, consider further evaluation for functional gastrointestinal disorders.
Calprotectin concentrations between 50.0 and 120 mcg/g are borderline and may represent a mild inflammatory process, such as in treated inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or associated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug or aspirin usage. For patients with clinical symptoms suggestive of IBD, retesting in 4 to 6 weeks may be indicated.
Calprotectin concentrations above 120 mcg/g are suggestive of an active inflammatory process within the gastrointestinal system. Additional diagnostic testing to determine the etiology of the inflammation is suggested.
Elevations in fecal calprotectin are not diagnostic for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and normal fecal calprotectin concentrations do not exclude the possibility of IBD. Diagnosis of IBD should be based on clinical evaluation, endoscopy, histology, and imaging studies.
Borderline results in fecal calprotectin may be observed in patients taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, aspirin, or proton-pump inhibitors.
For borderline results, repeat testing in 4 to 6 weeks is suggested.
Elevations in fecal calprotectin may be observed in other disease states associated with neutrophilic inflammation of the gastrointestinal system, including celiac disease, colorectal cancer, and gastrointestinal infections.
Falsely decreased concentrations of fecal calprotectin may be observed in patients with neutropenia or granulocytopenia.
Due to the lack of homogenous distribution of calprotectin in fecal material, variability in results may be seen when patients are monitored over time, particularly in samples with high calprotectin concentrations.
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)