Correlation between gut pathogens and fecal calprotectin levels in young children with acute diarrhea

Abstract

Background In cases of acute diarrhea, it is difficult to distinguishbetween bact erial and non-bacterial causes . Increased fecalcalprotectin (f-CP) level is a marker of neutrophil migration in theintestinal lumen and is associated with intes tinal inflammation.Previous studies reported an increase in f-CP levels in childrenwith acute diarrhea, which is caused by bacteria, but only fewhave studied the relationship between intestinal pathogens withf-CP levels in acute diarrhea.Objective To assess for a correlation between gut pathogens andfecal calprotectin levels in children with acute diarrhea.Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study between Julyto November 2012 on children aged 1-5 ye ars with acutediarrhea, and underwent routine blood tests, stool microscopy,f-CP tests, and stool cultures. We used a simple linear regressionand correlation analysis with a significance level of P< 0.05.Results Forty-two children enrolled in this study. The mean age ofsubjects was 2.27 (SD 134) years. Theirmeanf-CP level was 93.88(SD 14.68) μg/g. On microscopic stool examination, 26 patients( 61.9%) had positive leukocytes, 1 had Ancy lo stoma duodenale, 1had Ascaris lumbricoides, and 2 had Blastocystis hominis. Positivestool cultures were found in 14 children (33.3%) with acutediarrhea. There was a significant positive correlation between gutpathogens and f-CP levels (r=0.605; P< 0.0001).Conclusion In young children with acute diarrhea, the averagef-CP levels are higher in those with positive intestinal pathogens.

Study of the pathogenic potential of Dientamoeba fragilis in experimentally infected mice

“…Calprotectin is thought to induce inflammation through induction of pro-inflammatory chemokines, adhesion molecules and β 2 -integrin, thereby mediating leukocyte recruitment, adhesion, and trans-endothelial migration to inflamed tissue ( Viemann et al, 2007 , Foell et al, 2009 ). Moreover, the neutrophil migration and protein secretion causes epithelial damage or cell death (apoptosis), which leads to increased intestinal permeability and increased secretion of chloride ion, thus causing diarrhea in symptomatic patients ( Lam et al, 2014 ).…”

Pre-and Post-treatment Evaluation of Intestinal Inflammation in Giardia and Blastocystis Infected Children: A Community-based Study 

“…An elevated level of FC is also found in allergic colitis, drug-induced enteropathy, and colorectal cancer (Hanevik et al 2007;Damms and Bischoff 2008;Schoepfer et al 2008). Elevated levels are also induced by gastrointestinal pathogens (Lam et al 2014). The contribution of intestinal parasitic infections to intestinal in ammation and changes in FC levels in endemic areas is unclear.…”