Fecal lactoferrin is a sensitive and specific marker in identifying intestinal inflammation.
OBJECTIVE
Lactoferrin is a glycoprotein expressed by activated neutrophils. The aim of this study was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of fecal lactoferrin concentrations for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) versus healthy controls.


METHODS
Fresh stool samples were collected from outpatients with ulcerative colitis (UC), Crohn's disease (CD), or IBS. Clinical disease activity for IBD was assessed using a modified Harvey-Bradshaw Activity Index. Fecal lactoferrin concentrations were determined using a polyclonal antibody-based enzyme linked immunoassay. Mean fecal lactoferrin concentrations for each group and sensitivity and specificity of the assay were determined.


RESULTS
One hundred-four CD patients, 80 UC patients, 31 IBS patients, and 56 healthy controls were recruited. The mean +/- SE fecal lactoferrin concentration (microg/g fecal weight) was 440 +/- 128 for CD patients, 1125 +/- 498 for UC patients, 1.27 +/- 0.29 for IBS patients, and 1.45 +/- 0.4 for healthy controls. Fecal lactoferrin was 90% specific for identifying inflammation in patients with active IBD. Elevated fecal lactoferrin was 100% specific in ruling out IBS.


CONCLUSIONS
Fecal lactoferrin is sensitive and specific for detecting inflammation in chronic IBD. This noninvasive test may prove useful in screening for inflammation in patients presenting with abdominal pain and diarrhea.
Kane
Sunanda V
SV
University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA.
Sandborn
William J
WJ
Rufo
Paul A
PA
Zholudev
Anna
A
Boone
James
J
Lyerly
David
D
Camilleri
Michael
M
Hanauer
Stephen B
SB
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis*; D002648:Child; D003109:Colonic Diseases, Functional / Q000378:metabolism*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000378:metabolism*; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D015415:Biomarkers; D007781:Lactoferrin