Fecal calprotectin in the differential diagnosis of acute intestinal infections

Abstract

Infectious diarrhea takes a leading position in all infectious diseases worldwide. As a result of the pathogens diversity, patient-specific diagnosis and treatments are needed. Additional laboratory tests are crucial for differentiation among pathogens, as routine bacteriological and virological methods are time-consuming. One of them is fecal calprotectin.Aim: examination of the potential role of fecal calprotectin in infectious diarrhea.Materials and methods: the national and international medical literature sources were analyzed.Results: the data regarding fecal calprotectins’ structure, functional activity and diagnostic value are presented.Conclusions: the study of fecal calprotectin, as a correlative biomarker of bacterial gastroenteritis, can be helpful for clinicians with diagnostic approach to the patient.

Keywords

• fecal calprotectin
• diarrhea
• bacterial gastroenteritis
• biomarker