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A screening test with high negative predictive value could improve diagnostic accuracy for acute appendicitis and reduce the number of patients needing imaging studies and consultation. In a prospective pilot study, researchers evaluated whether S100A8/A9, a calcium-binding protein that is secreted in inflammatory conditions, is a useful biomarker for acute appendicitis. The study was conducted by the manufacturer of the biomarker assay.
Plasma levels of S100A8/A9 and total white blood cell (WBC) counts were measured in 181 adults and children who presented to three emergency departments with right-sided or infraumbilical acute abdominal pain of less than 2 weeks' duration and no dysuria or recent trauma. The prevalence of acute appendicitis…