Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog

3 grams (minimum 0.3 grams)stool - unpreserved

Collect undiluted feces in clean, dry sterile leak-proof container. Do not add fixative or preservative.

Processing only to be performed at GMC.  Ensure sample is mixed well.  Using the Calex Sampling device, collect the sample to be tested.  After collection, sample will need to be vortexed for 30 seconds.  Incubate sample by allowing sample to sit for 10 minutes with the blue cap down.  Vortex sample again for 30 seconds.  Centrifuge the Calex Cap with the white cap down for 10 minutes at 1000-3000g. Please see the CALEX® Cap Stool Preparation Guide for detailed instructions. 

Refrigerated

Prior to incubation: Room temperature: 3 days; Refrigerated: 3 days; Frozen: Unacceptable.
Post incubation: Room temperature: 2 days; Refrigerated: 15 days.

Stool collected in a container with fixative or preservative.  Stool that is sent frozen.

<80 mcg/g

Fecal calprotectin values < 80 mcg/g are not indicative of active inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. Low fecal calprotectin levels can be used in conjunction with the patient’s clinical symptoms, medical history and other clinical and laboratory findings to determine the need for additional diagnostic work-up.

Fecal calprotectin levels between and equal to 80 and 160 mcg/g, also called gray-zone levels, are not directly indicative of active inflammation; however, the presence of inflammation cannot be excluded. Re-evaluation of fecal calprotectin levels after 4-6 weeks is recommended to determine the inflammatory status. This decision should be made by the clinician in conjunction with the patient’s clinical symptoms, medical history and other clinical and laboratory findings.

Fecal calprotectin values > 160 mcg/g are indicative of neutrophil infiltrate in the gastrointestinal tract; therefore, this may signal the presence of active inflammatory disease. Elevated fecal calprotectin levels can be used in conjunction with the patient’s clinical symptoms, medical history and other clinical and laboratory findings to determine the need for further investigative procedures, including invasive procedures performed by specialists, to achieve an overall clinical diagnosis, in particular of IBD.

CALPST

Calprotectin is a neutrophilic protein that is a marker of intestinal mucosal inflammation in human stool. Fecal calprotectin aids in the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), specifically Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) and aids in the differentiation of IBD from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in conjunction with other laboratory and clinical findings.