Gastrointestinal Screen - Bacteria LIS Code: SH25

The Gastrointestinal Bacterial PCR Stool Test is an advanced molecular diagnostic test designed to detect common bacterial pathogens responsible for gastrointestinal infections, food poisoning and bacterial gastroenteritis.

Using highly sensitive Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technology, this test identifies bacterial genetic material in a stool sample, helping investigate infections caused by Salmonella, Campylobacter, E. coli, Shigella, Clostridioides difficile and Yersinia enterocolitica.

This comprehensive stool infection screening panel may be recommended for individuals experiencing persistent diarrhoea, abdominal pain, stomach cramps, nausea, fever, bloody stools or unexplained gastrointestinal discomfort.

Bacterial intestinal infections can develop following exposure to contaminated food or water, international travel or close contact with infected individuals. Certain infections, particularly those involving Clostridioides difficile, may also occur following antibiotic treatment.

PCR testing provides rapid, sensitive and specific detection of targeted bacterial pathogens, helping healthcare professionals identify potential causes of gastrointestinal illness and determine appropriate clinical management.

Bacterial Pathogens Tested

This panel screens for seven bacterial targets:

Campylobacter spp. (Cam) – Common bacteria responsible for food poisoning and bacterial gastroenteritis, often causing diarrhoea, abdominal cramps and fever.

Clostridioides difficile Toxin A/B (CdA/B) – Detects genes associated with toxin-producing C. difficile, a bacterium that can cause antibiotic-associated diarrhoea and inflammation of the colon.

Escherichia coli O157 (E. coli O157) – A potentially harmful E. coli serogroup associated with severe abdominal cramps, diarrhoea and sometimes bloody stools.

Salmonella spp. (Sal) – Bacteria commonly associated with contaminated food or water, causing diarrhoea, fever, nausea and abdominal pain.

Shigella spp. / Enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC) – Bacterial pathogens that can cause intestinal infections, severe diarrhoea, stomach cramps and occasionally bloody stools.

Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli (STEC – stx1/stx2) – Detects Shiga toxin genes associated with pathogenic E. coli strains that may cause severe gastrointestinal infections and complications.

Yersinia enterocolitica (Yer) – A bacterial pathogen associated with diarrhoea, fever and abdominal pain, sometimes producing symptoms similar to appendicitis.

Who Should Consider This Test?

This test may be suitable for individuals who:

Experience persistent, recurrent or unexplained diarrhoea.

Have abdominal pain, stomach cramps or suspected bacterial gastroenteritis.

Develop symptoms following suspected food poisoning.

Experience diarrhoea during or after antibiotic treatment.

Have gastrointestinal symptoms after international travel.

Suspect exposure to contaminated food or water.

Require investigation of a possible intestinal bacterial infection.

Important Clinical Information

The clinical indications provided are for general informational purposes only and do not represent a complete list of possible reasons for testing.

This PCR panel detects selected bacterial pathogens and does not screen for every possible cause of gastrointestinal illness, including viral and parasitic infections.

Detection of bacterial genetic material does not always confirm an active infection. In particular, a positive Clostridioides difficile PCR result may require additional toxin testing and clinical assessment to distinguish infection from colonisation.

A negative result does not completely exclude a bacterial gastrointestinal infection.

Results should always be interpreted by a qualified healthcare professional alongside the patient's symptoms, medical history, clinical examination and other relevant findings.