Differential Diagnosis for High Calprotectin
High calprotectin levels can indicate various conditions, primarily related to inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. Here's a categorized differential diagnosis:
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): This includes conditions like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. High calprotectin levels are a strong indicator of intestinal inflammation, making IBD the most likely diagnosis.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Infectious Gastroenteritis: Bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections can cause inflammation in the gut, leading to elevated calprotectin levels.
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) with Inflammation: Although IBS is not typically associated with significant inflammation, some subsets may have elevated inflammatory markers, including calprotectin.
- Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) Enteropathy: Long-term use of NSAIDs can cause gut inflammation, potentially leading to increased calprotectin levels.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Gastrointestinal Cancer: Although less common, gastrointestinal cancers can cause chronic inflammation, leading to elevated calprotectin. Missing this diagnosis could have severe consequences.
- Ischemic Bowel Disease: Reduced blood flow to the intestines can cause inflammation and potentially increase calprotectin levels. This condition requires prompt diagnosis and treatment.
- Diverticulitis: Inflammation of the diverticula in the colon can lead to elevated calprotectin and is a condition that should not be missed due to its potential for complications.
Rare Diagnoses
- Celiac Disease: An autoimmune reaction to gluten can cause gut inflammation, potentially leading to high calprotectin levels, although this is less common compared to other markers.
- Microscopic Colitis: This condition involves inflammation of the colon lining and can be a rare cause of elevated calprotectin.
- Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis: A rare condition characterized by eosinophilic infiltration of the gastrointestinal tract, leading to inflammation and potentially elevated calprotectin levels.