Test Details
Methodology
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
Result Turnaround Time
4 - 8 days
Use
An in vitro diagnostic aid to distinguish patients with active inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) from those with inactive IBD, as well as from noninflammatory irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Specimen Requirements
Test Includes
The quantitative measurement of fecal lactoferrin released from leukocytes.
Limitations
Test may not be appropriate in immunocompromised persons, patients with a history of HIV and/or hepatitis B and C, patients with a history of infectious diarrhea (within six months), and patients having had a colostomy and/or ileostomy within one month.
Fecal lactoferrin concentration should not be interpreted as absolute evidence of the presence of a gastrointestinal illness. Other intestinal ailments, including many gastrointestinal infections and colorectal cancer, often result in elevated levels of fecal lactoferrin. Prediction of active and inactive disease should be based on a complete evaluation of the patient that may also include multiple fecal lactoferrin level determinations.
Custom Additional Information
Fecal lactoferrin is sensitive and specific for detecting inflammation in chronic IBD. This noninvasive test may be useful in screening for inflammation in patients presenting with abdominal pain and diarrhea.
Specimen
Stool (unpreserved, random)
Volume
1 g
Minimum Volume
0.5 g
Container
Clean, screw-capped, plastic vial with no preservatives
Storage Instructions
Refrigerate.
Causes for Rejection
Nonfecal sample received (eg, serum, plasma, urine); stool contaminated with urine; preserved stool received (eg, 10% formalin, sodium acetate formalin, or polyvinyl alcohol)
Collection Instructions
Do not contaminate outside of container; do not overfill container. Loose/watery stools are acceptable. Ensure that no toilet tissue/sanitary materials are present in the submitted specimen. Ship refrigerated at 2°C to 8°C.
Stability Requirements
Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
Room temperature | 14 days (stability provided by manufacturer or literature reference) |
Refrigerated | 14 days (stability provided by manufacturer or literature reference) |
Frozen | >14 days (stability provided by manufacturer or literature reference) |
Reference Range
• Baseline (normal): 0.00−7.24
• Elevated: >7.24
An elevated result is indicative of the presence of fecal lactoferrin, a marker of intestinal inflammation. A normal result does not exclude the presence of intestinal inflammation.
LOINC® Map
| Order Code | Order Code Name | Order Loinc | Result Code | Result Code Name | UofM | Result LOINC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 123016 | Lactoferrin, Fecal, Quant. | 42924-1 | 123017 | Lactoferrin, Fecal, Quant. | ug/mL(g) | 42924-1 |
| Order Code | 123016 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Lactoferrin, Fecal, Quant. | |||||
| Order Loinc | 42924-1 | |||||
| Result Code | 123017 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Lactoferrin, Fecal, Quant. | |||||
| UofM | ug/mL(g) | |||||
| Result LOINC | 42924-1 |