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Faecal calprotectin is a calcium-binding protein released into the gut lumen predominantly by neutrophils, and to a lesser extent by monocytes and macrophages, during intestinal inflammation.
Its presence in faeces reflects the degree of neutrophilic infiltration in the gut mucosa, making it a useful biomarker for identifying intestinal inflammation.
Faecal calprotectin lateral flow testing is already used in human health and included in the NICE guidelines for the management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)1.
Determining the underlying cause of chronic diarrhoea, vomiting and weight loss in cats and dogs can be complex, often requiring invasive procedures such as endoscopy or biopsy - both of which carry cost, risk, and sometimes practical limitations in general practice.
GIQuest is designed to offer a non-invasive, rapid alternative to support clinical decision-making.
Carus says that whilst not a replacement for histopathology, faecal calprotectin concentrations have been shown to correlate with disease severity in dogs and cats, as measured by tools such as the Canine Chronic Enteropathy Clinical Activity Index (CCECAI).2
New data from the University of Bristol Vet School appears to confirm the test’s ability to differentiate dogs with histologically-confirmed inflammatory enteropathy from healthy controls with high sensitivity (94%) and specificity (96%) using a score threshold of 3mg/kg.2
Carus says the test also performed well in cats, distinguishing those with inflammatory enteropathy from healthy controls with a specificity of 100% and sensitivity of 92%.
In addition, the test detected elevated calprotectin levels consistent with inflammatory gastroenteropathy in 25% of dogs receiving oral NSAIDs, which highlights its potential not only in long-term monitoring but also early in treatment when GI side effects may first emerge.
Jolian Howell of Carus Animal Health said: “Faecal calprotectin testing can provide additional clarity in a range of clinical scenarios.
"It is particularly useful when diagnosing and managing suspected inflammatory enteropathy or food related reactions and for monitoring or screening for GI side effects of oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatories in long term OA therapy regimes.”
The Bristol study also showed that dogs with food-responsive enteropathy had a significant drop in calprotectin concentrations following dietary change, reinforcing the test’s role in tracking treatment response.
Georgie Louca, Veterinary Business Manager for Carus Animal Health, added: ”By providing a measurable, visual indicator of intestinal inflammation, GIQuest also helps support client communication and can improve compliance during treatment or dietary trials.”
GIQuest is designed for use in practice, including during consultations, delivering colour-coded results in 15 minutes.
GIQuest is now available to veterinary practices across the UK and can be ordered through veterinary wholesalers NVS, Covetrus and MWI.
https://carusanimalhealth.com/giquest
References
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