Blastocystis hominis (B. hominis) is a unicellular protozoan found in the large intestine of humans. B. hominis is the most prevalent single-celled eukaryotic organism found in humans. It is a causative pathogen in irritable bowel disorders and the toxins released by B. hominis can contribute to fibromyalgia. This presence of B. hominis-specific immunoglobulins in the serum samples suggests that the immune action against this parasite is not limited to the intestinal level. Antibodies to the pathogen can be found in both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals, therefore, it is still unclear whether B. hominis is a truly pathogenic organism, or a commensal, or perhaps, is capable of being a pathogen in specific circumstances.

What is Blastocystis spp.?

Blastocystis is a common microscopic organism that inhabits the intestine and is found throughout the world. A full understanding of the biology of Blastocystis and its relationship to other organisms is not clear, but is an active area of research. Infection with Blastocystis is called blastocystosis.

What are the symptoms of infection with Blastocystis?

Watery or loose stools, diarrhea, abdominal pain, anal itching, weight loss, constipation, and excess gas have all been reported in persons with Blastocystis infection. Many people have no symptoms at all. The organism can be found in both well and sick persons.

How long will I be infected?

Blastocystis can remain in the intestine for weeks, months, or years.

• GI Effects provides microscopic fecal specimen examination for ova and parasites (O&P), the gold standard of diagnosis for many parasites.

Blautia is a genus of bacteria that resides in the human gut and is involved in various important processes, including the fermentation of carbohydrates and the production of short-chain fatty acids like butyrate. Butyrate is especially vital as it serves as a primary energy source for colon cells, supports the integrity of the gut barrier, and modulates the immune response, thereby playing a crucial role in maintaining the overall health of the gastrointestinal tract.

Blautia has been linked to several health outcomes. For instance, a balanced presence of Blautia can contribute to a healthy gut environment, potentially protecting against certain diseases. Conversely, imbalances in Blautia levels have been associated with various conditions, including obesity, diabetes, and inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

What does this marker measure?
The Blood-Brain Barrier Protein IgG + IgA marker assesses whether your immune system is producing antibodies (IgG and IgA) against specific structural proteins that make up the blood-brain barrier.

• IgG antibodies reflect systemic or long-term immune responses.

• IgA antibodies reflect mucosal or surface-level immune activity, often originating in barrier tissues such as the gut, lung, or brain lining.

Elevated levels of these antibodies suggest that the immune system has been exposed to and is reacting against blood-brain barrier proteins, which typically should be hidden from immune surveillance. This is a strong indication of BBB disruption, either past or ongoing.

What Does This Marker Measure?
The Blood-Brain Barrier Protein IgM marker detects IgM-class antibodies against structural proteins of the blood-brain barrier. This test specifically measures the immune system’s early-stage response to damage or dysfunction in the BBB.

• IgM is the first antibody type produced in an immune response.

• It typically reflects acute or recent immune activation, often in response to new or ongoing tissue damage.

• In the context of the BBB, IgM antibodies suggest that the immune system has been recently exposed to normally hidden proteins from the brain’s protective lining—indicating a possible breach or compromise in the barrier.

BUN, or blood urea nitrogen, is used predominantly to measure kidney function. BUN reflects the ratio between the production and clearance of urea in the body. Urea is formed almost entirely by the liver from both protein metabolism and protein digestion. The amount of urea excreted as BUN varies with the amount of dietary protein intake.

Increased BUN levels are a sign of kidney dysfunction. An increased BUN level may be due to increased production of urea by the liver or decreased excretion by the kidney. Increased BUN levels are also associated with dehydration and hypochlorhydria.

Decreased BUN levels are associated with malabsorption and a diet low in protein.

The blood brain barrier (BBB) is a physical barrier formed by the arrangement of endothelial cells and tight junctions that line the capillaries which supply blood to the brain. The tissue proteins of the BBB are also present in the enteric nervous system (ENS). The complex ENS network resides in the wall of the gastrointestinal tract, the myenteric plexus and the submucosal plexus.

The ENS controls aspects of gut function, including motility, microvascular circulation, epithelial secretion of fluid, ions and bioactive peptides and intestinal barrier function.

Associated With: Individuals training for professional sports (saliva), Inflammatory bowel disease (saliva), Traumatic brain injury (serum)

BMI Categories:
Underweight = <18.5
Normal weight = 18.5–24.9
Overweight = 25–29.9
Obesity = BMI of 30 or greater

Tracking body weight over time is crucial for maintaining and improving health for several reasons.

Firstly, it allows for the early detection of unhealthy trends, such as rapid weight gain or loss, which can be indicators of underlying health issues like hormonal imbalances, metabolic disorders, or nutritional deficiencies. Regular monitoring helps in maintaining a healthy weight, a key factor in preventing chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers.

Additionally, it enables individuals to assess the effectiveness of their dietary and exercise regimes, guiding necessary adjustments for achieving personal health goals. This tracking also provides motivational feedback, as visible changes in weight can reinforce healthy lifestyle choices.

Furthermore, it aids healthcare professionals in making informed decisions about a patient's health and in customizing treatment plans. In essence, regular weight tracking is a simple yet powerful tool for promoting long-term health and well-being.

The Bone Fraction on Labcorp's Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) Isoenzyme Panel represents the portion of alkaline phosphatase originating from bone tissue. Elevated levels of the bone fraction may indicate conditions such as Paget's disease, osteomalacia, or bone metastases, which involve increased bone turnover. This isoenzyme is specifically measured to differentiate the source of elevated ALP levels, allowing healthcare providers to pinpoint bone-related disorders. The ALP isoenzyme panel utilizes electrophoresis or other advanced techniques to separate and identify different ALP isoenzymes, providing valuable insights into bone health. By evaluating the bone fraction, clinicians can accurately diagnose bone diseases and guide appropriate treatment.

Bone isoenzymes, specifically bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP), are important biomarkers used to assess bone metabolism and turnover. These enzymes play a crucial role in bone formation and mineralization processes.

Bone isoenzymes are a subset of alkaline phosphatases (ALP), which are hydrolytic enzymes that function in an alkaline environment. They are primarily produced by osteoblasts, the cells responsible for bone formation, and are present in the plasma membrane of these cells. The main function of bone isoenzymes is to hydrolyze phosphates, which are then used in the formation of proteins, nucleotides, and the mineralization of bone.

Bordetella pertussis causes whooping cough, a worldwide infectious disease that is transmitted from person to person by droplet infection. Especially children at the age of 0-4 years are affected, and the mortality of infected infants is high.

Bordetella pertussis is the bacterium responsible for causing whooping cough, a highly contagious respiratory illness. The Bordetella pertussis toxin (PT) IgG antibody test is an immunoassay (IA) designed to detect the presence of IgG antibodies against the pertussis toxin. These antibodies are produced by the immune system in response to an infection with Bordetella pertussis or, in some cases, following vaccination.

The presence of IgG antibodies to the pertussis toxin can indicate either a past infection with Bordetella pertussis or a response to a recent vaccination, as the pertussis vaccine (DTP or DTaP) contains inactivated components of the toxin. This marker is particularly useful for diagnosing recent or past infections, as well as for assessing immunity in individuals who may have been vaccinated or exposed to the bacteria.