Emerging role of calprotectin in gastroenterology

Calprotectin is a calcium and zinc binding protein of the S100 family derived predominantly from neutrophils and monocytes. It is detectable in body fluids and tissue samples and is emerging as a valuable marker in the diagnosis, and the monitoring and determining of the prognosis of commonly encountered gastroenterological conditions. Fecal calprotectin, in particular, has for a long time been regarded as a promising marker of gastrointestinal pathology and has now been established as a routine test in Norway and at several centers in the UK. (C) 2003 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.