Abstract
The aims of the study are the analysis of fecal calgranulin C levels in patients with bowel inflammation; comparison with the fecal calprotectin test; calculation of sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); determination of the variability parameters of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for calgranulin C detection. Materials and Methods: Fifty fecal samples from patients with Crohn's disease (n = 21), ulcerative colitis (n = 19) and unspecified bowel disorders (n = 10) were analysed.
The fecal levels of calprotectin (MRP8/14) and calgranulin C (MRP6) were compared in the eluates. Statistical data analysis consisted of a quantitative and qualitative results comparison, a measurement of variability parameters and diagnostic performance of both tests.
In calgranulin C the reference range of normal values was estimated. Results: A significant positive correlation between fecal calprotectin concentrations and calgranulin C was found (r = 0.829, p <0.001).
During the qualitative analysis of the results, a method consensus was achieved in 90% of cases. Diagnostic sensitivity of fecal calgranulin C for diagnosis of IBD was 75%, and specificity reached 88%.
Parameters of variability for fecal calgranulin C ELISA were in accordance with ISO15189 requirements. Conclusion: Calgranulin C is a new biomarker of intestinal inflammation.
It shows significant correlation with fecal calprotectin but its level should be increased primarily in the course of a neutrophil-mediated inflammation.