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Labcorp Oklahoma, Inc.
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Lactoferrin Detection, EIA (Stool)

Order Name FEC LACTOF
Test Number: 6002550
Revision Date 01/11/2011
Test Name Methodology LOINC Code
Lactoferrin Detection, EIA (Stool)
Enzyme Immunoassay 40703-1 
SPECIMEN REQUIREMENTS
Specimen Specimen Volume (min) Specimen Type Specimen Container Transport Environment
Preferred 1mL/1g Stool, Random Sterile Screwtop Container Room Temperature
Instructions 1mL Liquid Stool or 1g(0.5g) Solid Stool - Collect undiluted feces in clean, dry, Airtight sterile leak proof container, keep Room temperature or Refrigerated.
Do not add fixative or preservative. Stool in Transport Media, Preservatives or Formalin is Not Acceptable. Stool from Breast Fed infants is Not Acceptable.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Testing Schedule Mon-Fri 
Expected TAT 1-3 Days  
Clinical Use Human lactoferrin, a major component of leukocytes, is present during an inflammatory response. Diarrheal diseases can be classified into inflammatory and non-inflammatory diarrhea. Non-inflammatory diarrheas include those caused by viruses and most parasites and are for the most part, effectively treated with simple oral rehydration therapy. Inflammatory diarrheas tend to be more serious and need to be followed up by more extensive testing. In inflammatory diarrheas, fecal leukocytes are found in the stool in large numbers. Pathogens such as Shigella, Salmonella, Campylobacter and Clostridium difficile are example of organisms that may cause an inflammatory response. 
Notes This test may also help distinguish between inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, and active irritable bowel syndrome, which doe not cause intestinal inflammation.
The fecal lactoferrin test has an advantage over the determination of fecal leukocytes by microscopy. The microscopy method has disadvantages such as no standardization and degradation of the cells in the stool by lysis during storage. Lactoferrin is very stable and is not degraded during infections by the toxins of pathogens such as C. difficile.
A positive test indicates elevated levels of lactoferrin released from fecal leukocytes as a marker of intestinal inflammation.
CPT Code(s) 83630
Lab Section Microbiology