October 2026 — The combination of fecal calprotectin and *Helicobacter pylori* stool antigen testing is emerging as a practical approach for evaluating gastrointestinal symptoms, offering clinicians a streamlined way to assess both intestinal inflammation and bacterial infection from a single stool sample.

Recent research has strengthened the clinical rationale for combined testing. A prospective study published in 2026 found that fecal calprotectin concentrations were significantly higher in *H. pylori*-positive patients compared to negative controls, and levels decreased markedly following successful eradication therapy . The same study reported a significant correlation between calprotectin levels and the histological grade of *H. pylori*-induced gastritis, suggesting the two markers may provide complementary information about gastric and intestinal inflammation .

These findings align with a growing body of evidence indicating that *H. pylori* infection can influence calprotectin concentrations. An Iraqi cross-sectional study investigating this relationship noted that previous research in both pediatric and adult populations has consistently shown elevated calprotectin in infected individuals, with normalization after eradication .

From a commercial standpoint, combined testing is gaining traction. At ESGE Days 2026 in Milan, Sentinel Diagnostics highlighted its integrated approach to GI diagnostics, presenting automated immunoturbidimetric assays for both calprotectin and *H. pylori* as part of a unified panel for triaging symptomatic patients . The company emphasized that this integrated model supports risk stratification and more appropriate endoscopic referrals .

Meanwhile, ALPCO recently expanded its Health Canada-licensed GI testing menu to include *H. pylori* stool antigen alongside calprotectin on the automated KleeYa® platform, citing lab demand for consolidated testing solutions . The company reported best-in-class performance for its calprotectin assay in differentiating inflammatory bowel disease from irritable bowel syndrome .

However, infrastructure challenges persist. In the United Kingdom, NHS laboratory service transitions have caused turnaround delays, with *H. pylori* antigen and calprotectin backlogs reported at approximately 7 and 12 days respectively as of October 2026 . The laboratory has assured that sample stability remains unaffected and urgent cases can be prioritized .

For clinicians, the combo approach offers efficiency gains without compromising diagnostic yield. As health systems face mounting pressure to optimize endoscopy capacity, integrated stool testing for calprotectin and *H. pylori* represents a practical step toward more appropriate, evidence-based patient triage.