Alpha-1-Antitrypsin, Random, Feces
Use
Alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) is a 54-kDa glycoprotein that is resistant to degradation by digestive enzymes and is used as an endogenous marker for the presence of blood proteins in the intestinal tract. It helps in diagnosing protein-losing enteropathies when used in conjunction with serum AAT levels as a part of AAT clearance studies. Conditions such as regional enteritis, sprue, Whipple's disease, gastric carcinoma, allergic enteropathy, intestinal lymphangiectasia, constrictive pericarditis, congenital hypogammaglobulinemia, and iron deficiency anemia can be evaluated with this test. Increased fecal excretion of AAT indicates protein loss, especially in intestinal diseases.
Special Instructions
Not provided.
Limitations
The test is limited in its capacity to serve as a reliable indicator if the gastric loss of AAT is suspected, particularly in conditions like Menetrier's disease, due to AAT's susceptibility to low pH, where it is rapidly destroyed. Urine contamination, particularly from patients with kidney failure, may also affect the fecal AAT concentration. It's crucial to ensure proper sample collection to avoid misleading results.
New York Approved
Methodology
Immunoassay (Nephelometry)
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 9407-8 - A1AT Stl-mCnc
- 9407-8 - A1AT Stl-mCnc
Result Turnaround Time
1-3 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Stool
Volume
5 g
Minimum Volume
1 mL
Container
Stool container
Collection Instructions
Collect a random fecal specimen.
Storage Instructions
Frozen (preferred): 14 days; Ambient: 14 days; Refrigerated: 14 days
Causes for Rejection
Collected in any preservative or fixative
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 14 days |
| Refrigerated | 14 days |
| Frozen | 14 days |