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Your Health Where It Belongs... Your Hands

GI MAP (GI Microbial Assay Plus)-Diagnostic Solutions Kit - Test of the Month:

Note: This is a home collection test kit that will be mailed to you.


Fasting Required: No
Lab: Diagnostic Solutions
Specimen: Stool
Results: Average processing time 7-10 business days
Note: Result turnaround times are an estimate and are not guaranteed. Our reference lab may need additional time due to weather, holidays, confirmation/repeat testing, or equipment maintenance.

Special Instructions: Ship to lab Monday-Friday only. Specimen MUST be received by the lab within 8 days of collection. If you cannot ship the specimen on the day of collection, please refrigerate the sample. Avoid taking aspirin for 2 days prior to collection. DO NOT discontinue any medications unless directed by your physician.

Description: The GI-MAP® (Microbial Assay Plus) is a comprehensive stool test that relies on quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) technology to detect parasites, bacteria, H. pylori, fungi, and more by targeting the specific DNA of the organisms tested.

Research overwhelmingly indicates that gut health impacts overall health.

The gut microbiome plays a critical role in mediating the effects of diet and other factors on digestive, immune, metabolic, skin, brain, and neuroendocrine health.

Test results allow practitioners to personalize gut healing protocols that optimize overall health. Get to the root cause of chronic conditions for your patients with GI-MAP.

Includes:
Bacterial 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.
  • Campylobacter
  • C. difficile, Toxin A
  • C. difficile, Toxin B
  • Enterohemorrhagic E. coli
  • E. coli O 157
  • Enteroinvasive E. coli/Shigella
  • Enterotoxigenic E. coli LT/ST
  • Shiga-like Toxin E. coli stx1
  • Shiga-like Toxin E. coli stx2
  • Salmonella
  • Vibrio cholerae
  • Yersinia enterococlitica
Viral Pathogens
  • Adenovirus 40/41
  • Norovirus GI/II
Viruses
  • Cytomegalovirus
  • Epstein Barr Virus
Parasitic Pathogens 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.
  • Cryptosporidium
  • Entamoeba histolytica
  • Giardia
H. pylori with virulence factors 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. The GI-MAP includes results for detection of H. pylori antibiotic resistance genes in the microbiome. If an antibiotic resistance gene is present, then that class of antibiotics is designated POSITIVE for antibiotic resistance. A positive result for the presence of resistance genes for a given antibiotic indicates that the antibiotic is not an ideal choice for an antibiotic protocol. Antibiotic resistance genes apply to all of the microorganisms found in the fecal sample. Since microbes can rapidly share DNA under stress, the presence of antibiotic resistance in any organism is reason enough to avoid that drug class. Normal Bacterial Flora Trillions of microorganisms inhabit the human intestine to make up a complex ecosystem that plays an important role in human health. Commensal bacteria extract nutrients and energy from our diets, maintain gut barrier function, produce vitamins (biotin and vitamin K), and protect against colonization by potential pathogens.
  • Bacteroides fragilis
  • Bifidobacterium spp.
  • Enterococcus spp.
  • Lactobacillus spp.
  • Clostridium spp.
  • Enterobacter spp.
  • Bacteroidetes
  • Firmicutes
  • Firmicutes: Bacteroidetes Ratio
Opportunistic Bacteria 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.
  • Bacillus spp.
  • Enterococcus faecalis
  • Enterococcus faecium
  • Morganella spp.
  • Pseudomonas spp.
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa
  • Staphylococcous spp.
  • Staphylococcous aureus
  • Streptococcus spp.
  • Citrobacter spp.
  • Citrobacter freundii
  • Klelbsiella spp.
  • Klebsiella pneumoniae
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis (avium)
  • Prevotella copri
  • Proteus spp.
  • Proteus mirabilis
Fungi/Yeast Fungal organisms are commonly found in the human digestive tract, but fungal overgrowth can cause illness in susceptible individuals. Fungal growth may be localized in the body. For instance, Candida spp. may be high in the large intestine but normal in the small intestine, and vice versa. In a patient with suspected fungal overgrowth, additional tests may be necessary to understand the complete picture of fungal overgrowth. Urinary D-arabinitol or antibodies to Candida are sometimes used.
  • Candida spp.
  • Candida albicans
  • Geotrichum spp.
  • Microsporidium spp.
  • Rodotorula spp.
Parasitic Protozoa
  • Blastocystis hominis
  • Chilomastix mesnelli
  • Cyclospora spp.
  • Dientamoeba fragilis
  • Endolimax nana
  • Entamoeba coli
  • Pentatrichomonas hominis
Parasitic Worms
  • Ancylostoma dueodenale
  • Ascaris lumbricoides
  • Necator americanus
  • Trichuris trichiura
  • Taenia spp.
Beyond the microbial communities of the GI tract, the GI-MAP looks at the foundational health of the GI, including immune function, inflammation, digestion, gliadin (gluten) reactivity, intestinal permeability, and metabolic activity of the gastrointestinal biome. Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory uses clinically validated ELISA assays to accurately quantify these markers in human stool samples: pancreatic elastase-1, secretory IgA (sIgA), anti-gliadin sIgA, eosinophil activation protein (EDN), calprotectin (when added-on), and zonulin (when added-on). Intestinal Health/Digestion
  • Elastase-1
  • Steatocrit
GI Markers
  • b-Glucuronidase
  • Fecal Occult Blood
Immune Response
  • Secretory IgA
  • Anti-Gliadin IgA
Inflammation
  • Calprotectin
Additional tests available for add-on for an additional fee:
  • Universal Antibiotic Resistance - The Universal Antibiotic Resistance Genes Panel detects the presence of 55 genetic elements associated with resistance to 10 different classes of antibiotics. Useful for patients who have been hospitalized, treated with antibiotics, or who have stubborn, chronic infections, the Universal AR Genes panel can inform practitioners if antibiotic resistance is a potential stumbling block for patients. The Universal Antibiotic Resistance (AR) Gene Panel is available as an add-on only to the GI-MAP, or Pathogens Panel.
  • Gluten Peptide - Fecal Gluten Peptide quantitatively evaluates the gluten immunogenic peptide in stool after recent ingestion (within two-four days). Results can guide practitioners to the source of "hidden" gluten exposures – allowing for increased adherence to a proper therapeutic diet. The Gluten Peptide (Stool Gluten) marker is available as an optional add-on to the GI-MAP, or as a stand-alone test.
  • Zonulin - Zonulin is a protein in the small intestine that plays a crucial role in controlling the permeability of tight junctions between cells in the digestive tract. Elevated zonulin levels in stool are indicative of increased intestinal permeability.
  • Stool OMX - StoolOMX™ is a cutting-edge bile acid and short-chain fatty acid test available as an add-on to the GI-MAP. It evaluates 25 bile acids and 9 short chain fatty acids, providing actionable insights into conditions like IBS, IBD, and bile acid diarrhea. Gain precision-based tools for better patient outcomes with StoolOMX. StoolOMX is available as an optional add-on to the GI-MAP.