A recent study (S-M Haisma et al. Arch Dis Child http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2018-316584) shows that stool calprotectin levels stored at room temperature dropped nearly 20% after one day and dropped further over several days compared to baseline values, whereas calprotectin values remained reliable over six days for stool specimens stored at 4 degrees Celsius.
The authors conclude: “Calprotectin is not stable at room temperature. Children with IBD and their caretakers may be falsely reassured by low calprotectin values. The best advisable standard for preanalytical calprotectin handling is refrigeration of the stool sample until delivery at the hospital laboratory.”
Full text (link from KT Park’s twitter feed): Calprotectin instability may lead to undertreatment in children with IBD
Related blog posts:
- Calprotectin in Triaging Potential Pediatric IBD Cases
- Biomarkers identify patients who benefit and how
- Fecal Calprotectin Monitoring for IBD Relapse
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- Value of Calprotectin | gutsandgrowth
- Prospective Monitoring of Calprotectin for Crohn’s Disease …
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