Can Fecal Calprotectin Level Be Used as a Markers of Inflammation in the Diagnosis and Follow-Up of Cow's Milk Protein Allergy?

摘要

Purpose Calprotectin is a cytosolic protein with immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, and antiproliferative actions. The concentration of calprotectin increases in infection, inflammation, and malignancy. We determined if calprotectin can be used as a marker for the diagnosis and follow-up of bowel inflammation in cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA). Methods In total, 32 patients newly diagnosed with CMPA were included (24 IgE-mediated, 8 non-IgE-mediated). In all subjects, a complete blood count, total IgE, cow's milk-specific IgE, and fecal calprotectin (FC) were assessed before and after a cow's milk protein (CMP) elimination diet was started. The results were compared with those of 39 healthy children. Results The mean FC value before the CMP elimination diet was 516±311 μg/g in the 32 patients with CMPA and 296±94 μg/g in the control group ( P =0.011). The mean FC value after the diet in these patients was 254±169 μg/g, which was significantly different from the mean value before the CMP elimination diet ( P Conclusions FC levels may be a useful marker for follow-up treatment and recurrence determination in CMPA.