Eurostarprojekt, E! 7991 Fecal-Calprotectin, Karolinska Universitetslaboratoriet
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Karolinska Universitetssjukhuset - Karolinska Universitetslaboratoriet, Klinisk kemi |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 1 401 040 |
| Project duration | March 2013 - December 2016 |
| Status | Ongoing |
Important results from the project
Faeces calprotectin is an excellent marker to distinguish between IBS (colon irritabile) and IBD (inflammatory bowel disease). Most methods for the analysis of the F-Calprotectin are relatively cheap and non-invasive for the patient but time and resource consuming for laboratories. The main objective of the project was to develop a method for the analysis of calprotectin in faeces that can be applied to modern analysis platforms that have a high throughput and short turnaround times and thus improve the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease, while costs for diagnosis decreases.
Expected long term effects
The main goal of the project, development of turbidimetric method for the analysis of faecal calprotectin is fulfilled. We have developed and validated the turbidimetric method on multiple instrument platforms. The method is commercially available today and the projekt has resulted in two scientific publications. In conclusion, the project has followed the schedule in terms of the development and validation of the new turbidimetric method and set up on multiple instrument platforms. As the product is now available on the market, we can state that the project has been very successful.
Approach and implementation
In addition to the development of the analytical method we have studied and optimized pre-analytical factors that have influence on the analysis results, including sample collection, stability of calprotectin in faeces and homogenization of faecal samples for efficient extraction of calprotectin. We have developed a robotic system that provides an automated and more hygienic handling of faecal samples and developed a simplified sampling kit for the patient, all in order to reduce the pre-analytical variability and improve analysis of faecal calprotectin.