The iceA gene is recognized as a significant virulence factor in the genome of Helicobacter pylori, a Gram-negative, spiral-shaped bacterium implicated in the pathogenesis of various gastrointestinal diseases, including gastritis, peptic ulcers, and is associated with the development of gastric cancer. This gene exists in two main allelic variants: iceA1 and iceA2, each displaying different epidemiological distributions and potential roles in the bacterium's pathogenicity.

H. pylori virulence factor OipA (Outer Inflammatory Protein A) - associated with gastric cancer and peptic ulcer.

The virulence factor genes on GI-MAP are found exclusively on the genome of H. pylori.

These genes code for proteins that will predispose one to more serious H. pylori infections. 

Helicobacter pylori (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.

The virulence factor genes on GI-MAP are found exclusively on the genome of H. pylori. These genes code for proteins that will predispose one to more serious H. pylori infections.

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.

Viscosity is an important biomarker assessed in a semen analysis that measures the thickness or fluidity of the semen. It plays a key role in determining the semen's ability to effectively transport sperm through the male reproductive system and into the female reproductive tract during fertilization. Normal viscosity allows semen to liquefy within 15 to 30 minutes after ejaculation, which facilitates sperm movement.

Viscosity refers to the property of fluids that enables them to resist flow. Measuring the viscosity of serum, plasma, or whole blood can be valuable in diagnosing and monitoring patients with hyperviscosity syndromes, which are often associated with conditions like multiple myeloma and Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia. These measurements are reported as a relative viscosity compared to water, where normal serum and plasma have a relative viscosity of up to 1.6. While values greater than 1.6 are considered abnormal, hyperviscosity syndromes typically do not manifest unless the relative viscosity reaches approximately 4.0 or higher.

The most common cause of serum hyperviscosity is the presence of high concentrations of IgM monoclonal proteins. Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia is responsible for 80% to 90% of symptomatic hyperviscosity cases. Hyperviscosity syndrome can also be observed in patients with multiple myeloma, and, in rare instances, it may occur in patients with high levels of rheumatoid factors and other proteins that tend to aggregate.

Thiamin is a vitamin that plays a critical role in energy metabolism, especially in the brain and nervous system. Thiamin also plays an important role in muscle contraction and nerve conduction. Faecalibacterium spp utilize thiamine but do not produce it, indicating that there is a competition for vitamins within the gut microbiome.

Vitamin B12 binding capacity, unsaturated (transcobalamin) refers to the ability of transcobalamin, a protein in the blood, to bind to and transport vitamin B12 within the body. Transcobalamin plays a crucial role in the transport of vitamin B12 from the intestines to various tissues where it is utilized in essential physiological processes.

Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is crucial for healthy red blood cells, brain and nervous system function, DNA regulation, and metabolism. Production of B12 by gut bacteria contribute up to 31% of the daily recommended intake for this nutrient.

Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) is a cofactor needed for energy production and fat metabolism that also plays an important role in immune cell function.

Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) is essential for energy production and fat metabolism. Bacteroides fragilis, Prevotella copri, Ruminococcus spp, Salmonella enterica, and Helicobacter pylori can all produce vitamin B5 in the gut. However, there are many species that rely on vitamin B5 for growth but cannot synthesize it, like most Fusobacterium, Bifidobacterium spp, Faecalibacterium spp, Lactobacillus spp, and some strains of Clostridium difficile, suggesting that these bacteria may compete with the host for vitamin B5.

Vitamin B6 is an incredibly versatile nutrient that supports immunity, brain function, and protein metabolism. It is also a necessary, rate limiting cofactor for neurotransmitter production, including dopamine, serotonin, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), noradrenaline, and the hormone melatonin.

This nutrient is found abundantly in foods, particularly fish, chicken, tofu, sweet potato, and avocado.

B6 can also be produced by commensal gut species including Bacteroides fragilis, Prevotella copri, Bacillus clausii, Corynebacterium glutamicum, Listeria monocytogenes, Streptococcus mutans, Bifidobacterium longum, Collinsella aerofaciens, and Helicobacter pylori.

Human gut microflora contribute up to 86% of the daily recommended intake of B6.

Biotin (also known as Vitamin H, Vitamin B7, or Vitamin B8) is a water soluble vitamin necessary for growth, development, and cellular energy production that can support healthy hair, skin, and nails and support healthy immune responses. Biotin is synthesized from tryptophan by intestinal bacteria like Bacteroides fragilis, Prevotella copri, Ruminococcus lactaris, Clostridium difficile, Bifidobacterium infantis, Helicobacter pylori, and Fusobacterium varium. In contrast, some species of Prevotella, Bifidobacterium, Clostridium, Ruminococcus, Faecalibacterium, and Lactobacillus may steal biotin from the host as they need it for survival.

Vitamin B9 (folate or tetrahydrafolate), is essential for healthy blood cells. Gut-derived folate is directly absorbed into the colon, contributing up to 37% of the daily recommended intake. If vitamin B9 producers are low, there could be low levels of this nutrient available to the body.

Vitamin K2 is a fat-soluble vitamin necessary for calcium metabolism and critical for the health of teeth, bones, nerves, and the cardiovascular system. Most K2 comes from dietary sources, however, gut bacteria including Escherichia coli, Bacteroides vulgatus, Bacillus subtilis and Bacteroides fragilis can also produce K2 endogenously. However, microbially derived K2 has protective role against oxidative tissue damage in the gut.

Vitamin A is one of the fat-soluble vitamins required for health. It’s especially important for vision, skin and mucous membranes found surrounding all organs. Vitamin A provides free radical-fighting functions for immunity and for anti-aging.

Vitamin A is a family of fat soluble compounds (carotinoids) that play an important role in vision, bone growth, reproduction and cell differentiation. It also helps regulate the immune system, promoting optimal lymphocyte function in defending against bacterial and viral infections. Retinol (Vitamin A) promotes healthy surface linings of the eyes and respiratory, urinary and instestinal tracts. Vitamin A also promotes healthy skin function and integrity. Retinol is the most active form of Vitmain A and is synthesized in the body by conversion of provitamin A, primarily beta-carotene, into retinol. Lycopene, lutein and zeaxathin are carotiniods that do not have Vitamin A activity, but have other helath promoting properties. Studies are inconclusive in identifying vitamin A’s rols as an antioxidant.

Required by the eye for vision and to protect the rest of your body from damaging effects of infection and stress.

Vitamin A is an antioxidant in the membranes of your cells where it serves a protective function. Every day you lose some vitamin A, because it is used in the replacement of old tissues.

Vitamin A is an antioxidant in the membranes of your cells where it serves a protective function. Every day you lose some vitamin A, because it is used in the replacement of old tissues.