Calprotectin is a heterodimeric calcium- and zinc-binding protein mainly derived from the cytoplasm of neutrophils that has direct antimicrobial functions and a role in the regulation of the innate immune response. It can be found in various biological compartments, in particular, the stool, with concentrations related to the level of mucosal inflammation. The measurement of fecal calprotectin has thus been recognized as a useful surrogate marker to distinguish patients with inflammatory bowel disease from those with irritable bowel syndrome. Moreover, it allows the monitoring of intestinal inflammation with a high negative predictive value, making it possible to exclude the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease for symptomatic patients. It also shows high sensitivity for the identification of patients requiring additional examinations for diagnosis, such as colonoscopy, and the evaluation of therapeutic responses, providing evidence of relapse or mucosal healing, which can lead to the intensification or reduction of treatment. As calprotectin levels are a measure of mucosal inflammation, high fecal concentrations are also found in other diseases with an inflammatory component, such as infectious enteritis or colorectal cancer. Interpretation of the concentration must therefore always take into account the clinical history and symptoms specific to each patient.

中文翻译：

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粪便钙卫蛋白用于炎症性肠病的诊断和治疗。

钙卫蛋白是一种异二聚体钙锌结合蛋白，主要源自中性粒细胞的细胞质，具有直接抗菌功能并在调节先天免疫反应中发挥作用。它可以在各种生物区室中找到，特别是粪便，其浓度与粘膜炎症水平相关。因此，粪便钙卫蛋白的测量被认为是区分炎症性肠病患者和肠易激综合征患者的有用替代标志物。此外，它可以以高阴性预测值监测肠道炎症，从而可以排除有症状患者的炎症性肠病的诊断。它还对识别需要额外检查（如结肠镜检查）和治疗反应评估的患者表现出高度敏感性，提供复发或粘膜愈合的证据，从而导致治疗的强化或减少。由于钙卫蛋白水平是粘膜炎症的衡量标准，因此在其他具有炎症成分的疾病中也发现了高粪便浓度，例如传染性肠炎或结直肠癌。因此，浓度的解释必须始终考虑每位患者的临床病史和具体症状。