Screening for Protein Losing Enteropathy

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The ideal test for protein-losing enteropathy is able to detect a serum protein in the stool that is not secreted, digested, or reabsorbed in the GI tract.
A1-AT is an endogenous protein not present in the diet, and is normally not actively secreted, absorbed, or digested.
Also, A1-AT is stable in feces at 37°C and it is not excreted in urine. Therefore, urine contamination of the stool sample does not alter the measurement of fecal A1-AT.
 
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