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. 2004 Mar;42(3):1254-6.
doi: 10.1128/JCM.42.3.1254-1256.2004.

Performance assessment of the fecal leukocyte test for inpatients

L A Granville  1 , P Cernoch, G A Land, J R Davis
Affiliations

Performance assessment of the fecal leukocyte test for inpatients

L A Granville et al. J Clin Microbiol. 2004 Mar.

Abstract

Traditionally, fecal leukocyte testing detects large bowel inflammation or disruption, conditions that allow leukocytes into the stool. However, test usefulness with inpatients is unclear. Two hundred five inpatients who had undergone one to three tests were identified, and their FLT results were compared to their gastrointestinal disease diagnoses at time of discharge. A specificity of 92% for detecting intact colonic mucosae in inpatients was found.

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Figures

FIG. 1.
FIG. 1.
Analysis of cutoff values for FLT. (A) Classification of patients with and without a breach in the colonic mucosa in relation to FLT results using a cutoff of <1 neutrophil/HPF as an indication of positivity. The sensitivity was 39%, the specificity was 81%, and the PPV was 53%. (B) Classification of patients with and without a breach in the colonic mucosa in relation to FLT results using a cutoff of >1 neutrophil/HPF as an indication of positivity. The sensitivity was 28%, the specificity was 92%, the PPV was 67%, and the NPV was 70%.
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