Elastase, Faeces (Pancreatic Elastase, Elastase 1)

Diagnostic Use

Pancreatic elastase-1 is a pancreas specific protease that can be detected in faeces. As its production relates to exocrine pancreatic function and is relatively resistant to gut luminal degradation, the faecal pancreatic elastase test has been used as a marker of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.

The assay may be used as follow-up monitoring of patients with mild or moderate pancreatic insufficiency.

Department

Specialist Biochemistry

Delphic Registration Code

PELA

Laboratory Handling

Separating

Specialist Biochemistry - Freezer

Synonyms

Elastase 1
Faecal Elastase
Pancreatic Elastase

Turnaround Time

21 days

Test Code

3333

Specimen Type

• Faecal

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Pottle

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Pottle

Additional Specimen Information

Collect 2-3 grams into pottle.
Collect separate sample if requiring other laboratory tests.
Faecal samples received by the laboratory that have leaked in transit, will be discarded and not processed.
This is due to the possible infectious risks, please recollect.

Aliquot Instructions

Sample Type

• Faecal

Transport to Lab

Frozen
If overnight - Frozen

Interpretation

Pancreatic elastase-1 is a pancreas specific protease that can be detected in faeces. As its production relates to exocrine pancreatic function and is relatively resistant to gut luminal degradation, the faecal pancreatic elastase test has been used as an indirect pancreatic function marker predominantly to either rule in or rule out severe exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.

Its ability to detect mild to moderate exocrine pancreatic insufficiency is considered poor to modest.

Unlike the faecal chymotrypsin test, it is not affected by faecal pH and also is not influenced by exogenous pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy. However, it can be affected (falsely low result) by watery stool due to dilutional effect.

Reference Intervals

> 200 ug/g sample (Normal)

100 – 200 ug/g moderate impairment

<100 ug/g severe pancreatic insufficiency

Test Method

ELISA

Non-Funded Test Cost

$168.73 (Exclusive of GST)

Billing Code

3333

Creon (Pancreatic Enzyme replacement Therapy or PERT) is porcine based and does not cross react with human faecal elastase. Thus faecal elastase measurement is not recommended for monitoring of adequacy of pancreatic enzyme supplementation.

In this context, faecal chymotrypsin is preferred.

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