The GI Effects Microbial Ecology Profile tests for the status of intestinal bacteria, helping to identify predominate, opportunistic, and pathogenic bacteria using DNA analysis. It additionally helps monitor the intestinal microflora of the gut that are central to colonization resistance, which prevents colonization of the gut by pathogens. The analysis uses molecular and microscopic approaches for stool-based gastrointestinal diagnostics. O&P technology is the gold standard diagnostic methodology for parasite detection, while PCR technology provides an expansive assessment of anaerobic gut microflora.
Intestinal microorganisms perform a number of useful functions, such as fermenting unused energy substrates, communicating with the immune system, preventing growth of harmful species, regulating the development of the gut, producing vitamins for the host (such as biotin and vitamin K), and producing hormones. However, not all intestinal microorganisms are beneficial, and some intestinal microbial life are indeed pathogenic. It is important to monitor the status of intestinal microorganisms in order to maintain a positive ratio of beneficial to harmful bacteria.
Over 95% of the bacteria in the gut are anaerobes, but in the cecum (beginning fo the large intestine), aerobic bacteria reach high densities. Under normal homeostatic conditions, the intestinal microflora are of central importance in preventing colonization by pathogens, termed “colonization resistance.” Other analytes include yeast/fungi, parasites, adiposity index, and microbial and fungi sensitivities.
Tests for:
The status of beneficial and harmful intestinal bacteria.
Test advantages:
Enhanced Clinical Utility: Clinical utility for parasite detection is enhanced with O&P technology, the current clinical diagnostic standard of care. This test uses Optimized Parasite Recovery (OPR), a version of O&P technology which utilizes a concentration process to optimize parasite detection. Since the vast majority of commensal gut microflora are anaerobes that present culture challenges, microbial DNA analysis is utilized to optimize the assessment of gut microbial composition.
Symptoms and conditions:
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Abdominal pains
- Gas
- Heartburn
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Fecal incontinence
- Colitis
- Hemorrhoids
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Sleep disorders
- Motility disorders
Analytes Measured:
PREDOMINANT BACTERIA:
Obligate anaerobes
Bacteroides sp.
Clostridia sp.
Prevotella sp.
Fusobacteria sp.
Streptomyces sp.
Mycoplasma sp.
Facultative anaerobes
Lactobacillus sp.
Bifidobacter sp.
Obligate aerobes
Escherichia coli
OPPORTUNISTIC BACTERIA:
Aerobes
Achromobacter/Alcaligenes sp.
Aeromonas sp.
Bacillus sp.
Citrobacter sp.
Enterobacter sp.
Klebsiella oxytoca
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Morganella morganii
Psuedomonas sp.
Salmonella sp.
Staphylococcus aureus
Vibrio sp.
Yersinia sp.
YEAST/FUNGI:
Candida sp.
Geotrichum sp.
Rhodotorula
Saccharomyces sp.
Microsporidia
Taxonomy Unavailable
PARASITOLOGY:
Parasitic Protozoans
Blastocystis hominis
Cryptosporidium species
Dientamoeba fragilis
Endomilax nana
Entamoeba sp.
Giardia sp.
Giardia lamblia
Trichomonas hominis
Parasitic Worms:
Ascaris lumbricoides
Clonorchis sinensis
Enterobius vermicularis
Necator americanus
Schistosoma mansoni
Strogyloides sp.
Taenia solium
Trichuris species
ADIPOSITY INDEX:
Firmicutes
Bacteroidetes
SENSITIVITY TESTING:
Botanical Sensitivities
Pharmaceutical Sensitivities
PATHOGENIC BACTERIA, that can be ordered as add on tests for additional cost:
Helicobacter pylori
Clostridium difficile
Campylobacter sp.
Entero-hemorrhagic Eschericia coli (EHEC)
Test type:
Gastrointestinal function: bacteriology
Sample required:
Stool
Average processing time:
14-17 days
Marchesi J, et. al. The gut microbiota and host health: a new clinical frontier. Gut. 2016 Feb;65(2):330-9. Clemente J, et. al. The impact of the gut microbiota on human health: an integrative review. Cell. 2012 Mar;148(6):1258-70.
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