GI-MAP by Diagnostic Solutions

Overwhelmingly, research indicates that gut health impacts overall health. The gut microbiome, in particular, plays a critical role in mediating the effects of diet and other factors on health, including digestive, immune, metabolic and neuroendocrine functions. Assessing GI health with the proper tools can help practitioners get to the root cause of chronic illness.
The GI-MAP is unique in the field of comprehensive stool testing. It relies exclusively on quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) technology to detect parasites, bacteria and fungi by targeting the specific DNA of the organisms tested.
Who Should Have the GI-MAP Comprehensive Stool Analysis Done?
Almost every patient can benefit from a GI-MAP gut health assessment. Some patients are looking to achieve optimal health, while other patients have been chronically ill and frustrated without a diagnosis for years.
Some conditions that warrant testing are:
- Autoimmune diseases
- IBS/IBD
- Digestive complaints, diarrhea or constipation
- Brain fog
- Skin problems, like acne and psoriasis
- Mood disorders, depression, and anxiety
- Diabetes and weight loss issues
Adenovirus 40/41
Optimal range: 0 - 9000000000 Units
Adenovirus serotypes 40 and 41 cause acute gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and intestines) primarily in children.
LEARN MOREAkkermansia muciniphila
Optimal range: 10 - 50000 Units
Akkermansia muciniphila may represent 3–5% of the microbial composition in the healthy human intestinal tract, and have a crucial role in the regulation of the gut barrier and other homeostatic and metabolic functions.
LEARN MOREAncylostoma duodenale
Optimal range: 0 - 0.00001 Units
The distribution of hookworm (Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale) is worldwide, with particular prevalence in rural areas of the moist tropics where there is inadequate sanitation and people walk barefoot. The two species produce indistinguishable thin-walled eggs that hatch in soil. Infection is usually acquired by walking barefoot in soil contaminated with human faeces. The larvae undergo several moults before infective larvae are produced.
LEARN MOREAnti-gliadin IgA
Optimal range: 0 - 157 U/L
Antigliadin antibodies (AGAs) are antibodies of the IgA and IgG classes found in the serum of celiac disease patients. These antibodies mainly target gliadin-derived peptides, which are the main proteins of gluten. AGAs are not specific for celiac disease as they are also found in patients with other gastrointestinal diseases such as gastritis, gastroenteritis, and IBD.
LEARN MOREAscaris lumbricoides
Optimal range: 0 - 0.00001 Units
Ascaris lumbricoides, an intestinal roundworm, is one of the most common helminthic human infections worldwide.
Ascaris lumbricoides is the largest intestinal nematode of man. The female worms are larger than the males and can measure 40 cm in length and 6 mm in diameter. They are white or pink and are tapered at both ends.
LEARN MOREb-Glucuronidase
Optimal range: 0 - 2486 U/mL
Beta-glucuronidase is an enzyme that breaks the tight bond between glucuronic acid and toxins in the intestines. The liver and intestine bind toxins, steroid hormones and some dietary components to glucuronic acid. That is a protective process that limits absorption and enterohepatic reabsorption of toxins, and enhances excretion. A high level of activity of Beta-glucuronidase in the gut is not desirable. A low level of Beta-glucuronidase activity is not known to be of any direct clinical consequence.
LEARN MOREBacillus spp.
Optimal range: 0 - 149999 Units
Bacillus spp. are spore forming bacteria, ubiquitous in the environment. B. cereus in particular is a frequently recognized cause of toxin-induced acute gastroenteritis.
Other infections caused by this genus include:
- sepsis
- pneumonia
- endocarditis
- central nervous system (CNS) and ocular infections
LEARN MOREBacteroides fragilis
Optimal range: 1600000000 - 250000000000 Units
Gram-negative species of the Bacteroidetes phylum. Immune-modulating normal gut species. Believed to be involved in microbial balance, barrier integrity, and neuroimmune health (Hsiao 2013). High levels may result from reduced digestive capacity or constipation. Low levels may contribute to reduced anti-inflammatory activity in the intestine.
LEARN MOREBacteroidetes
Optimal range: 861000000000 - 3310000000000 Units
Bacteroidetes are the most prominent gut microbes in much of the world. They are thought to help protect against obesity because they do not digest fat well.
LEARN MOREBifidobacterium spp.
Optimal range: 67000000 - 100000000000 Units
Gram-positive genus in the Actinobacteria phylum. Present in breast milk. Colonizes the human GI tract at birth. Common in probiotics. Thrives on a wide variety of prebiotic fibers.
LEARN MOREBlastocystis hominis
Optimal range: 0 - 1999 Units
Blastocystis hominis is found throughout the world in both people with and without symptoms. It is a non-pathogenic parasite. Non-pathogenic parasites are present in the gastrointestinal tract and generally are self-limiting and do not cause illness. However, some research shows an association between non-pathogenic parasites and gastrointestinal symptoms.
LEARN MOREC. difficile, Toxin A
Optimal range: 0 - 999 Units
C. difficile is an opportunistic anaerobic bacterium which causes symptoms ranging from mild diarrhea to pseudomembranous colitis when the normal flora has been altered (as in antibiotic use).
C. difficile produces two toxins:
- Toxin A is a tissuedamaging enterotoxin,
- while toxin B is referred to as a cytotoxin.
LEARN MOREC. difficile, Toxin B
Optimal range: 0 - 999 UnitsCalprotectin
Optimal range: 0 - 173 ug/g
Calprotectin is a calcium-binding protein with antimicrobial properties. It accounts for 60% of neutrophil cytosolic content and is also found in monocytes and macrophages. Calprotectin is released from the intestinal mucosa into the stool in intestinal inflammation.
LEARN MORECampylobacter
Optimal range: 0 - 999 Units
When people worry about eating undercooked chicken, they usually focus on getting sick from salmonella bacteria. But another common type of bacteria called campylobacter can also make you ill if you eat poultry that isn’t fully cooked.
LEARN MORECandida albicans
Optimal range: 0 - 499 Units
Commensal fungi that can be pathogenic to immunocompromised patients. Causes vaginal yeast infections and can be fatal in systemic infections. May cause diarrhea. Has been suggested to cause a cluster of symptoms including GI complaints, fatigue, and muscle or joint pain but evidence is weak.
LEARN MORECandida spp.
Optimal range: 0 - 4999 Units
Commensal fungi that can be pathogenic to immunocompromised patients. Causes vaginal yeast infections and can be fatal in systemic infections. May cause diarrhea. Has been suggested to cause a cluster of symptoms including GI complaints, fatigue, and muscle or joint pain but evidence is weak.
LEARN MOREChilomastix mesnili
Optimal range: 0 - 99999 Units
Chilomastix mesnili is a nonpathogenic flagellate that is often described as a commensal organism in the human gastrointestinal tract.
LEARN MORECitrobacter freundii
Optimal range: 0 - 499999 UnitsCitrobacter spp.
Optimal range: 0 - 4999999 UnitsClostridia (class)
Optimal range: 5000000 - 50000000 Units
Markers in this class are important producers of short-chain fatty acids, and have many well-documented roles in promoting a healthy intestinal barrier, immune balance, and protection against pathogens.
LEARN MORECryptosporidium
Optimal range: 0 - 999999 Units
Cryptosporidium is notorious for being spread by swimming pools. A number of Cryptosporidium outbreaks have occurred after contamination of public swimming facilities. Cryptosporidium can cause gas, bloating, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. In a healthy, immune-competent person, this is a selflimiting infection and can be cleared within 2-3 weeks.
LEARN MORECyclospora spp.
Optimal range: 0 - 49999 UnitsCytomegalovirus
Optimal range: 0 - 99999 Units
Epidemiology:
- Herpes virus that has infected 60% of the US population
- One in three children have contracted CMV by five years old
- Passed around in child daycare centers
LEARN MOREDientamoeba fragilis
Optimal range: 0 - 99999 Units
Dientamoeba fragilis is a parasite that lives in the large intestine of people. This protozoan parasite produces trophozoites; cysts have not been identified. The intestinal infection may be either asymptomatic or symptomatic.
LEARN MOREE. coli O157
Optimal range: 0 - 999 UnitsElastase-1
Optimal range: 201 - 2000 ug/g
Pancreatic elastase is an enzyme that digests protein. It’s only produced by the pancreas and when it is seen in the stool, it’s an excellent biomarker of how well the pancreas is performing.
LEARN MOREEndolimax nana
Optimal range: 0 - 9999 UnitsEntamoeba coli
Optimal range: 0 - 4999999 Units
Entamoeba coli are intestinal amebae that are found in the large intestine. They generally are not considered pathogenic. However, when these amebae are found in stool samples it can indicate the presence of other potentially pathogenic organisms.
LEARN MOREEntamoeba histolytica
Optimal range: 0 - 9999 Units
Entamoeba histolytica is a disease-causing parasite that can affect anyone, although it is more common in those who lived or travelled in tropical areas with poor sanitary conditions. Diagnosis can be difficult since, under a microscope, it looks similar to other parasites such as Entamoeba dispar and Entamoeba hartmanii. The latter two parasites generally do not cause illness.
LEARN MOREEnterobacter spp.
Optimal range: 1000000 - 50000000 UnitsEnterococcus faecalis
Optimal range: 0 - 9999 UnitsEnterococcus faecium
Optimal range: 0 - 9999 UnitsEnterococcus spp.
Optimal range: 190000 - 200000000 Units
Gram-positive genus of lactate-producing bacteria in the Firmicutes phylum. High levels may be due to reduced digestive capacity, constipation or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Low levels may indicate insufficiency of beneficial bacteria.
LEARN MOREEnterohemorrhagic E. coli
Optimal range: 0 - 999 UnitsEnteroinvasive E. coli/Shigella
Optimal range: 0 - 99 UnitsEnterotoxigenic E. coli LT/ST
Optimal range: 0 - 999 UnitsEpstein Barr Virus
Optimal range: 0 - 999999 UnitsEscherichia spp.
Optimal range: 3700000 - 3800000000 UnitsFaecalibacterium prausnitzii
Optimal range: 1000 - 500000000 Units
Faecalibacterium prausnitzii is one of the most important bacteria in the human gut flora and makes up to 5-10% of the total number of bacteria detected in stool samples from healthy humans. Faecalibacterium prausnitzii has a crucial role in maintaining gut physiology and host wellbeing.
LEARN MOREFirmicutes
Optimal range: 57000000000 - 304000000000 Units
Gram-negative Bacteroidetes and grampositive Firmicutes are bacterial phyla that dominate the entire human digestive tract, including the mouth, nose, throat, and colon.2 An abnormal result in one or both of these phylum suggest imbalanced normal microbes in the GI tract. Further, high Firmicutes and low Bacteroidetes (resulting in a high F/B ratio) suggest microbial imbalance which may be related to increased caloric extraction from food, fat deposition and lipogenesis, impaired insulin sensitivity, and increased inflammation.
LEARN MOREFirmicutes:Bacteroidetes Ratio
Optimal range: 0 - 0.99 Ratio
An abnormal result in one or both of these phylum suggest imbalanced normal microbes in the GI tract.
Gram-negative Bacteroidetes and grampositive Firmicutes are bacterial phyla that dominate the entire human digestive tract, including the mouth, nose, throat, and colon.
LEARN MOREFusobacterium spp.
Optimal range: 0 - 100000000 UnitsGeotrichum spp.
Optimal range: 0 - 299 UnitsGiardia
Optimal range: 0 - 4999 Units
Giardia infection (giardiasis) is one of the most common causes of waterborne disease in the United States.
LEARN MOREHelicobacter pylori
Optimal range: 0 - 999 Units
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection occurs when H. pylori bacteria infect your stomach. Helicobacter pylori has been evolving with human beings for well over 50,000 years, since they migrated out of Africa. H. pylori colonization has been implicated in a variety of gastroduodenal diseases.
LEARN MOREKlebsiella pneumoniae
Optimal range: 0 - 49999 UnitsKlebsiella spp.
Optimal range: 0 - 4999 Units
Klebsiella species are gram-negative bacteria normally found in the intestinal tract that are associated with a wide range of small intestinal disorders including:
- alterations of motility,
- diarrhea,
- gas,
- abdominal pain,
- and bloating.
LEARN MOREM. avium subsp. paratuberculosis
Optimal range: 0 - 5000 UnitsMethanobacteriaceae (family)
Optimal range: 0 - 5000000000 Units
Family of bacteria-like microbes that produce methane. Facilitates carbohydrate fermentation and short-chain fatty acid production by beneficial bacteria. High levels linked to chronic constipation, as well as some types of SIBO and IBS. Low levels may indicate reduced production of short-chain fatty acids and may be associated with inflammation.
LEARN MOREMicrosporidium spp.
Optimal range: 0 - 4999 UnitsMorganella spp.
Optimal range: 0 - 999 UnitsNecator americanus
Optimal range: 0 - 0.0001 UnitsNorovirus GI/II
Optimal range: 0 - 9000000 Units
Norovirus GI & GII, or Norwalk virus, is the most common cause of non-bacterial gastroenteritis in the world. It is widely known for causing the stomach flu on cruise ships. Three genotypes of this diverse virus, GI, GII, and GIV, can infect humans.
LEARN MOREOccult Blood - FIT
Optimal range: 0 - 10 ug/g
The fecal occult blood test (=FOBT) looks for blood in your feces. “Occult” (=hidden) means that the blood amount is so small that it cannot be seen with the naked eye. The bleeding does not change the color of the stool or result in visible bright red blood. Therefore, the blood is found only by testing the stool for blood in the laboratory.
LEARN MOREPentatrichomonas hominis
Optimal range: 0 - 99 UnitsProteus mirabilis
Optimal range: 0 - 999 UnitsProteus spp.
Optimal range: 0 - 49999 UnitsPseudomonas aeruginosa
Optimal range: 0 - 499 Units
- Gram-negative bacteria in the Proteobacteria phylum.
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa are normal flora in the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which on occasion cause GI tract infection.
LEARN MOREPseudomonas spp.
Optimal range: 0 - 9999 Units
Gram-negative bacteria in the Proteobacteria phylum. High levels may indicate increased intestinal inflammatory activity and may cause abdominal cramping and loose stools. Some strains of P. aeroginosa may produce toxins that can damage cells.
LEARN MORERodotorula spp.
Optimal range: 0 - 999 UnitsSalmonella
Optimal range: 0 - 9999 UnitsSecretory IgA
Optimal range: 510 - 2010 ug/g
As the most abundant class of antibody found in the human intestinal lumen, secretory IgA (sIgA) is recognized as a first line of defense in protecting the intestinal epithelium from enteric pathogens and toxins. It is used to assess gastrointestinal barrier function.
LEARN MOREShiga-like Toxin E. coli stx1
Optimal range: 0 - 999 UnitsShiga-like Toxin E. coli stx2
Optimal range: 0 - 999 UnitsStaphylococcus aureus
Optimal range: 0 - 499 UnitsStaphylococcus spp.
Optimal range: 0 - 9999 UnitsSteatocrit
Optimal range: 0 - 14.9 %Streptococcus spp.
Optimal range: 0 - 999 Units
Streptococcus is a member of Gram-positive lactic acid-producing bacteria (LAB) that belonged to Firmicutes phylum. Many strains of Streptococcus are non-pathogenic and occur as commensal flora on the skin, the oral cavity, nasopharynx, upper respiratory tract, urogenital, and gastrointestinal tracts.
LEARN MORE