Fecal Eosinophil Protein X

Elevated levels associated with inflammation and tissue damage likely due to parasitic infections, IBD or food allergies.

Consider testing for food allergies and treatment based on root cause analysis.

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Abnormally high levels of Eosinophil Protein X in stool samples indicate inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. Thus, the test may indicate inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. However, other processes can increase eosinophil activity in the bowels. For example chronic diarrhea, chronic gastroesophageal reflux, and chronic alcohol misuse can cause an irritation of the lining of the gut, which increases eosinophil activity and Eosinophil Protein X levels.

Some specific causes of high Eosinophil Protein X levels are:

- Crohn’s disease

- Ulcerative colitis

- Intestinal parasites (e.g. helminths)

- Chronic diarrhea

- Chronic gastroesophageal reflux

- Chronic alcohol misuse

- Protein-sensitive enteropathy

- Colon cancer

- Eosinophilic gastroenteritis

Eosinophil Protein X levels cannot be too low. A reading of zero would be considered normal.

Eosinophil Protein X (EPX) is a water-soluble protein that is found in eosinophils.

EPX levels in stool are a marker of eosinophil activity in the gastrointestinal system. Fecal EPX abnormality is suggestive of food allergy, eosinophil-driven inflammation (caused by parasites). The test has been shown to have higher specificity and positive predictive value for detecting disease activity in inflammatory bowel disease compared to fecal calprotectin.