GI MAP

The Gastrointestinal Microbial Assay Plus (GI-MAP) is an innovative clinical tool that measures gastrointestinal microbiota DNA from a single stool sample with state of the art, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) technology.

The GI-MAP was designed to detect microbes that may be disturbing normal microbial balance or contributing to illness as well as indicators of digestion, absorption, inflammation, and immune function.

PATHOGENS

The GI-MAP includes pathogens (bacterial, parasitic, and viral) commonly known to cause intestinal gastroenteritis. It's important to note that not all individuals with positive findings for pathogens will present with symptoms. Many factors, including the health of the individual, the transient nature of some pathogens, and the presence and expression of virulence factors all contribute to an individual's symptoms.

Toxins are a type of virulence factor produced by certain pathogens. Since GI-MAP is a DNA-based test, results reflect the levels of pathogenic strains carrying the toxin genes, not the levels of any toxins that may be produced.

H. pylori

Recent studies have shown that nearly 50% of the world's population may harbor H. pylori. And, although many carriers are asymptomatic, H. pylori is known to have a causative role in ulcers, chronic gastritis, and stomach cancer.

Additionally, in early phases of colonization, patients may experience hypochlorhydria followed by a change to hyper aciduria. Over time, additional H. pylori strains may colonize, including those with Virulence Factors and increased disease potential.

OPPORTUNISTIC/OVERGROWTH MICROBES

Many bacteria measured on the GI-MAP are considered opportunistic pathogens, as they only cause disease and illness in some individuals, particularly the immune-compromised. Many individuals come into contact with opportunistic bacteria and experience no symptoms. Most sources consider these microbes to be normal in the stool. However, they can cause gastroenteritis and inflammation at high levels in vulnerable patients. Symptoms may include diarrhea, loose stools, abdominal pain, or even constipation.

Overgrowth and excessive colonization by opportunistic bacteria may occur when the commensal bacteria are impaired by poor diet, antibiotic use, parasitic infection, or a weakened immune system. When intestinal permeability is present (see zonulin), these microbes could escape the lumen of the gut and infect extraintestinal sites.

PARASITES

A parasite is an organism that lives and feeds on a host organism at the expense of the host. The GI-MAP tests for pathogenic parasites and protozoa (some of which are non-pathogenic) most commonly occurring in the GI tract. Sources of exposure should be identified and eliminated to prevent reinfection.

UNIVERSAL ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE GENES

The Universal Antibiotic Resistance (AR) Genes panel can be ordered as an add-on to the GI-MAP or to the GI-Pathogens panel. It detects the presence of 55 genetic elements associated with resistance to 10 different classes of antibiotics.

This AR Genes add-on panel detects genes associated with resistance to the most commonly prescribed antibiotics for gastrointestinal infections. The mobile genetic elements in the panel can be found in a variety of different microbes. The presence of these genes in a bacterial population have been associated with moderate to high levels of antibiotic resistance in human gastrointestinal infections.

AND MORE...

Pancreatic Elastase 1, Steatocrit, Beta-Glucuronidase, Occult Blood Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT), Secretory IgA (SIgA), Anti-Gliadin SIgA, Eosinophil Activation Protein (EDN/EXP), Calprotectin, and Zonulin.  

***Not available in New York, New Jersey or Rhode Island