A highly sensitive and specific marker for detecting intestinal inflammation as in ulcerative colitis is:: (A) C-reactive protein (CRP), (B) Fecal lactoferrin, (C) Fecal calprotectin, (D) Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
Answer is B. Fecal lactoferrin, a glycoprotein present in activated neutrophils, is a highly sensitive and specific marker for detecting intestinal inflammation in ulcerative colitis. Fecal calprotectin is present in neutrophils and monocytes and levels correlate well with histologic inflammation, predict relapses, and detect pouchitis. Fecal calprotectin levels can also be elevated in cases of acute diarrhea. In ulcerative colitis, active disease can be associated with rise in acute-phase reactants- C-reactive protein (CRP), platelet count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), & decrease in hemoglobin- non-specific markers