Calprotectin is a heterocomplex with antimicrobial properties consists of two calcium-binding proteins (MRP8 and MRP14) present in the cytoplasm of neutrophils. After activation of the neutrophils, the calprotectin is released and can be detected in serum, body fluids and faeces, thus constituting a potential inflammation marker.
Simple Calprotectina immunochromatographic assay is a rapid test for the semi-quantitative detection of human calprotectin in faecal samples as an indicator of the gastrointestinal inflammation present in various pathologies (ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, colorectal cancer,…). This test has a cut-off of 50 µg/g. Several publications appoint to this cut-off value as the most suitable one to differentiate between organic intestinal inflammation and a functional intestinal disease.
The test is based on the immunological capture of coloured microparticles as they pass through a membrane coated with a specific monoclonal antibody against Calprotectin