Correlation between Intestinal Parasitic Infections and Fecal Calprotectin Levels
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59675/P412Keywords:
Fecal Calprotectin, FOB, intestinal parasitic infections, Entamoeba histolytica/dispar/moshkovskii complex, Blastocystis hominis.Abstract
Background and Aims: The aim of this study was to examine the diagnostic value of fecal calprotectin as a non-invasive inflammatory marker in intestinal parasitic infections and to evaluate its association with the severity of associated mucosal inflammatory changes.
Methods: A total of 120 subjects were recruited and equally divided into two groups consisting of 60 patients with intestinal parasitic infection, particularly Entamoeba histolytica/dispar/moshkovskii complex and Blastocystis hominis, and 60 non-infected subjects matched by age and gender as controls. Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) and General Stool Examination (GSE) tests were conducted on all subjects. Alegria system analysis was carried out in order to determine the level of fecal calprotectin.
Results: The statistics proved the significance of difference among the various groups studied (p<0.05). In comparison to the normal individuals, the level of fecal calprotectin increased significantly among those suffering from parasitic infection. The other markers associated with the inflammation process, such as fecal pus cells and positive occult blood results, were found to be highly correlated with the increase.
Conclusion: The study demonstrates that fecal calprotectin is a useful non-invasive inflammatory marker of parasitic disease of the intestine. It provides supportive information when used together with routine stool examination and fecal occult blood testing. However, microscopy-based identification of amoebic infection should be reported as Entamoeba histolytica/dispar/moshkovskii complex unless confirmed by PCR or species-specific antigen detection.
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