• Digestive symptoms: Persistent bloating, gas, diarrhoea, constipation or abdominal discomfort.
• Food sensitivities: Digestive or systemic reactions linked with certain foods.
• Unexplained fatigue: Ongoing low energy where gastrointestinal factors are being explored.
• Nutritional deficiencies: Suspected malabsorption or poor nutrient status.
• Inflammatory concerns: Gastrointestinal inflammation or inflammatory symptoms of unclear origin.
• Skin manifestations: Rashes, lesions or skin irritation potentially linked with gut imbalance.
• Joint or muscle discomfort: Arthralgia or myalgia occurring alongside digestive symptoms.
• Post-antibiotic changes: Altered bowel habits or symptoms following antibiotic use.
• Travel-related exposure: Digestive symptoms following travel or potential exposure to contaminated food or water.
• Immune-related concerns: Recurrent infections, allergies or immune dysregulation with possible gut involvement.

Comprehensive Parasitology x2 (Culture, PCR + Parasitology) evaluates intestinal bacteria, yeast and parasites using a combination of stool culture, PCR-based detection and microscopic parasitology. Two stool samples collected on separate days allow for broader detection of organisms that may not be consistently present in a single sample. The profile includes identification of commensal flora, imbalanced or dysbiotic organisms and pathogenic bacteria, yeast and parasites, with antimicrobial susceptibility testing provided for cultured species where appropriate.

This profile may be clinically useful when exploring persistent digestive symptoms, food-related reactions, nutrient concerns or systemic symptoms that may relate to gastrointestinal microbial imbalance. By assessing bacterial and yeast growth patterns, parasitic organisms and pathogen presence, the test helps practitioners observe patterns that may contribute to digestive disturbance or broader symptom presentations.

Practitioners typically interpret results alongside clinical history, recent travel, medication use, dietary patterns and other relevant investigations. Using two samples collected across different days can provide added context when organisms are intermittently shed, supporting more informed interpretation for individual clients.

Practical

Specimen requirements: STOOL

QUANTITY: Each vial must be filled until the indicated fill line, and must not be filled to the top.

STORAGE: 

Black & Orange capped vials: REFRIGERATE (DO NOT freeze)

PLEASE NOTE:

If there are any missing or improperly produced samples, the following options are available:

1. SEND A NEW (COMPLETE) SAMPLE, where the patient/practitioner will be liable for the added shipment costs.

2. REQUEST a downgraded version of the test. The downgraded report will only contain the analytes measured from each vile:

   - BLACK capped vial: parasitology

   - YELLOW/ORANGE capped vial: Bacteria/Yeast Culture & PCR

Once the downgraded version of the test has been requested based on the delivered vials, the invoice price will be adjusted to accommodate the new report. A new order will have to be submitted to receive a full report, as results cannot be transferred between past orders.

No Call / Inhibited
In certain circumstances, stool samples may not yield results for a limited section of viruses, pathogenic bacteria and parasites [known as : No Call / Inhibited]. Statistically this can affect approximately 6% of tests.
Many factors contribute to this issue including diet, medication, supplements, and competing DNA. Excessive calcium, tannic acid, bile salts, haemoglobin, melanin, collagen, urea, degradation products, complex polysaccharides and polyphenolic substances have also been found to cause inhibition.Test reports affected are not considered to be defective and thus are not eligible for cancellation or refunds.
Resubmission of the a supplementary sample to attempt analysis can be accommodated with billable costs limited to supply and return shipping.
By ordering this test, you accept the conditions and risks explained here.

The x2 indicates two day collection.

When doing the stool test, you have seven (7) days to collect all the vials from the date you start collecting the first vial.

Taking enzymes will affect the results. We recommend to stop taking digestive enzymes 2 days before starting the test and during the test.

We do allow for patients to take magnesium citrate, Psyllium grain, or prune juice.

Age requirements:

Applicable to all ages. For infants, collect from the middle of the stool, not touching the diaper as this will contaminate the sample. The stool needs to be free of urine.

Research

Imbalanced flora

Mackowiak PA. The normal microbial flora. N Engl J Med. 1982;307(2):83-93.

Dysbiotic Flora

• Lispki E. Digestive Wellness. New Canaan,CT: Keats Publishing;1996.

• Mitsuoka T. Intestinal Flora and Aging. Nutr Rev 1992;50(12):438-446.

• Murray MT. Stomach Ailments and Digestive Disturbances. Rocklin, CA: Prima Publishing; 1997.

• Pereira SP, Gainsborough N, Dowling RH. Drug-induced Hypochlorhydria Causes High Duodenal Bacterial Counts in the Elderly. Ailment Pharmacol Ther 1998;12(1)99-104.

• Weisburger JH. Tea and Health: The Underlying Mechanisms. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 1999;220(4):271-275.4.

Beneficial Flora

• Elmer G, Surawicz C, and McFarland L. Biotherapeutic agents - a Neglected Modality for the Treatment and Prevention of Intestinal and Vaginal Infections. JAMA. 1996; 275(11):870-876.

• Fitzsimmons N and Berry D. Inhibition of Candida albicans by Lactobacillus acidophilus: Evidence for Involvement of a Peroxidase System. Microbio. 1994; 80:125-133

• Fuller R. Probiotics in Human Medicine. Gut. 1991;32: 439-442.

• Oksanen P, Salminen S, Saxelin M, et al. Prevention of Travelers’ Diarrhea by Lactobacillus GG. Ann Med. 1990; 22:53-56.

• Percival M. Intestinal Health. Clin Nutr In. 1997;5(5):1-6.

• Perdigon G, Alvarez M, et al. The Oral Administration of Lactic Acid Bacteria Increases the Mucosal Intestinal Immunity in Response to Enteropathogens. J Food Prot. 1990;53:404-410.

• Siitonen S, Vapaatalo H, Salminen S, et al. Effect of Lactobacilli GG Yoghurt in Prevention of Antibiotic Associated Diarrhea. Ann Med. 1990; 22:57-59.

• Valeur, N, et al. Colonization and Immunomodulation by Lactobacillus reuteri ATCC 55730 in the Human Gastrointestinal Tract. Appl Environ. Microbiol. 2004 Feb; 70(2):1176-81.

• Weisburger JH. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 1999;220(4):271-5.