Calprotectin as a Biomarker for Infectious Diseases: A Comparative Review with Conventional Inflammatory Markers.

Calprotectin, the most abundant cytosolic protein in neutrophils, is a S100A8/S100A9 heterodimer released during immune activation. It inhibits bacterial growth by binding to essential metal ions and contributes to inflammation and leukocyte migration. This review highlights calprotectin's potential as a diagnostic marker for bacterial infections and inflammation. Clinical trials demonstrate that calprotectin is at least as effective as C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, and white blood cell counts in predicting bacterial infections. The rapid elevation of calprotectin levels in the early stages of sepsis, pneumonia, brain injury, and transplant complications underscores its diagnostic value. Predictive use of calprotectin may reduce ICU stays, mortality, and costs. However, challenges remain, including assay standardization and bacterial-viral differentiation. Advanced methods, such as the particle-enhanced turbidimetric immunoassay, enable faster and more reliable measurements. While calprotectin shows promise, further standardization and clinical validation are necessary to optimize its diagnostic utility.