label: Positive synovial fluid alpha-defensin
label_lc: positive synovial fluid alpha-defensin
description: Elevation of the the alpha-defensin concentration in synovial aspirate is above the upper limit of normal. The alpha-defensin test is a qualitative immunoassay optimized and validated for synovial fluid. The alpha-defensin protein is an antimicrobial peptide that is naturally released by neutrophils responding to a pathogen in the synovial fluid.