The Gastrointestinal Microbial Assay Plus (GI-MAP) was designed to assess a patient’s microbiome from a single stool sample, with particular attention to microbes that may be disturbing normal microbial balance and may contribute to perturbations in the gastrointestinal (GI) flora or illness.
The panel is a comprehensive collection of microbial targets as well as immune and digestive markers, and relies exclusively on quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) technology to detect parasites, bacteria, fungi, and more by targeting the specific DNA of the organisms tested.
Zonulin has been identified as a key biomarker for intestinal permeability, which has been associated with celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS), and other GI and systemic conditions.
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The test price INCLUDES a 60 min feedback session.
What is the GI MAP test?
Benefits | Features
The GI-MAP can be used in the detection and identification of gastrointestinal microbial nucleic acids and has been clinically validated for the detection of gastrointestinal pathogens that cause infectious colitis or gastroenteritis. This technology has been used to identify and control pathogen outbreaks because of its rapid turn-around time. It measures a substantial list of opportunistic pathogens as well as a list of FDA-cleared pathogens, including novel targets such as viruses, Microsporidia, and pathogenic virulence factors. Chronic gastrointestinal symptoms, intestinal permeability, hormonal imbalance, and food sensitivities may trace their origins to imbalanced gut microbes as a root cause. Further, chronic inflammatory arthritis could have a microbial component that may warrant investigation by stool studies. This stool test offers integrative and functional medicine practitioners superior sensitivity and specificity to help resolve persistent and complex illnesses. Since the immune system, the intestinal barrier, and microbial diversity are intimately interwoven, a thorough understanding of our gut microbiome holds promise for new approaches to treat and prevent disease.
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Download more info on this test: GI Map - More Info
The GI-MAP measures pathogenic organisms that can cause hospital-acquired infections (HAI) such as C. difficile or norovirus, foodborne illness such as E.coli or Salmonella, and common causes of diarrhoea such as Campylobacter, Shigella, and rotavirus A.1 This panel measures viral causes of gastroenteritis, unavailable by other common stool tests. It measures parasites such as Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and Entamoeba histolytica.
The GI-MAP analyses Helicobacter pylori and its virulence factors. It can detect opportunistic pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Yersinia enterocolitica, and Proteus mirabilus, associated with autoimmune molecular mimicry. It includes a panel of single-celled, amebic parasites such as Blastocystis hominis, Dientamoeba fragilis, and Entamoeba coli.
Fungal organisms are measured by the GI-MAP such as Candida, Geotrichum, and Microsporidia, with the latter being a new addition to DNA stool analysis. Finally, the GI-MAP measures standard markers of immunity, inflammation and digestion including lactoferrin, secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA), anti-gliadin antibody, and pancreatic elastase 1.
Finally, the GI-MAP measures standard markers of immunity, inflammation and digestion including lactoferrin, secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA), anti-gliadin antibody, and pancreatic elastase 1.
Who would benefit from this test?
Anyone who has 1 or more of the following symptoms or conditions:
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Constipation Crohn’s disease
- Diarrhea
- Food poisoning
- Gastric cancer
- Gastritis
- Gastroenteritis
- Gastroesophageal reflux
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
- Ulcer
- Ulcerative colitis
- Vomiting
Autoimmune Conditions
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Reactive and Rheumatoid arthritis
- Thyroiditis (Hashimoto’s, Grave’s)
Allergic Disease
Test analytes
The human gastrointestinal microbiome houses trillions of bacteria and research shows that these microorganisms are essential for human metabolism, nutrition, immune function, and resistance to infection. Over 500 different species of microorganisms from 30 different genera have been identified from the human gut. But in any one person, there are 100 million- 1 trillion microorganisms per gram of fecal content. Most microbes in the human gut are believed to be beneficial or commensal. There are microbes that colonize many people but only become pathogenic in certain situations (opportunistic pathogens). Finally, there are pathogens that are widely recognized to cause disease in the human host.
Although they are ubiquitous, pathogenic bacteria do not cause illness in all people. This is because commensal gastrointestinal flora can protect the host from infection. When gut microflora protects the intestines from pathogens and harmful microorganisms it is called, “colonization resistance.” Animal models show that when normal gut microflora are lacking, the host is more susceptible to GI infections with Salmonella. Similarly, after antibiotic treatment, there is an increased risk of pathogenic infections. On the other hand, commensal bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium can prevent gastrointestinal infection. Colonization resistance explains why most pathogenic bacteria fail to cause disease in healthy subjects.
Commensal bacteria naturally inhabit the human gastrointestinal tract and do not cause disease. Many are beneficial; they produce enzymes, vitamins, short-chain fatty acids, and other metabolic products that keep the bowels and the body functioning well. The incredibly complex interaction between human health and the gastrointestinal microbiome is the subject of multiple cutting-edge research studies. Given the metabolic, nutritional, and immune-enhancing roles of these organisms, the microbiome deserves close analysis when treating patients with chronic illnesses.
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Lab's name for test
GI Microbial Assay Plus GI-Map
