title: Calprotectin in cystic fibrosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is increasing evidence that intestinal inflammation plays a major role in gastrointestinal symptoms in cystic fibrosis (CF). Fecal calprotectin is a marker that is elevated in several gastrointestinal inflammatory diseases, but little is known about its value in CF. We aimed to look for associations of elevated fecal calprotectin among CF patients and whether its level correlates with the clinical manifestations of CF.
  
  
  METHODS
  A single stool specimen was collected from 62 patients with CF. Fecal calprotectin was measured using the commercially available ELISA kits (PhiCal™ test). Clinical data were collected from patients' records and CF registry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences between CF patients with normal and abnormal fecal calprotectin levels. However, patients who were not receiving inhaled antibiotics had higher fecal calprotectin levels than those who were.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Elevated fecal calprotectin may not accurately predict intestinal inflammation in CF. However, the fact that it was elevated in both pancreatic sufficient and insufficient groups supports the concept of "cystic fibrosis enteropathy" regardless of the pancreatic status.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Divisions of Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine, The Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA. rummannisreen@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Nisreen
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rumman
authors.forename: Mutaz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sultan
authors.forename: Khalil
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: El-Chammas
authors.forename: Vi
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Goh
authors.forename: Nita
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Salzman
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Quintero
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Werlin
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism*; D004751:Enteritis / Q000378:metabolism; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D039841:Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D039841:Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex