Gastrointestinal Screen - Bacteria and Parasites LIS Code: SH28

The Gastrointestinal Bacterial & Parasitic PCR Stool Test is an advanced molecular diagnostic test designed to detect common bacterial pathogens and intestinal parasites responsible for gastrointestinal infections, food poisoning and digestive illnesses.

Using highly sensitive Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technology, this test identifies the genetic material of targeted microorganisms, including Salmonella, Campylobacter, E. coli, Shigella, Giardia and Cryptosporidium, in a stool sample.

This comprehensive screening panel helps investigate gastrointestinal symptoms such as persistent diarrhoea, abdominal pain, stomach cramps, bloating, nausea, unexplained digestive discomfort and suspected intestinal infections.

Bacterial and parasitic gastrointestinal infections may develop following exposure to contaminated food or water, international travel or contact with infected individuals.

PCR testing provides a sensitive and specific method for detecting the targeted pathogens, helping healthcare professionals identify potential causes of gastrointestinal illness and guide appropriate clinical management.

Bacteria and Parasites Tested

This panel screens for seven pathogen targets:

Campylobacter spp. (Cam) – Common bacteria associated with food poisoning, diarrhoea, abdominal cramps and fever.

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

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

Salmonella spp. (Sal) – Bacteria commonly transmitted through contaminated food or water, potentially causing diarrhoea, fever and abdominal pain.

Shigella spp. / Enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC) – Bacterial pathogens associated with intestinal infections, diarrhoea, stomach cramps and occasionally bloody stools.

Giardia lamblia (GL) – An intestinal parasite that can cause prolonged diarrhoea, bloating, excessive gas, abdominal discomfort and malabsorption.

Cryptosporidium spp. (CR) – Intestinal parasites commonly associated with watery diarrhoea, abdominal cramps and gastrointestinal illness, often transmitted through contaminated water.

Who Should Consider This Test?

This test may be suitable for individuals who:

Experience persistent, recurrent or unexplained diarrhoea.

Have abdominal pain, bloating, stomach cramps or digestive discomfort.

Develop symptoms following suspected food poisoning.

Experience gastrointestinal symptoms after international travel.

Have potentially consumed contaminated food or untreated water.

Suspect an intestinal bacterial or parasitic infection.

Require further investigation of prolonged gastrointestinal symptoms.

The Gastrointestinal Bacterial & Parasitic PCR Stool Test is an advanced molecular diagnostic test designed to detect common bacterial pathogens and intestinal parasites responsible for gastrointestinal infections, food poisoning and digestive illnesses.

Using highly sensitive Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technology, this test identifies the genetic material of targeted microorganisms, including Salmonella, Campylobacter, E. coli, Shigella, Giardia and Cryptosporidium, in a stool sample.

This comprehensive screening panel helps investigate gastrointestinal symptoms such as persistent diarrhoea, abdominal pain, stomach cramps, bloating, nausea, unexplained digestive discomfort and suspected intestinal infections.

Bacterial and parasitic gastrointestinal infections may develop following exposure to contaminated food or water, international travel or contact with infected individuals.

PCR testing provides a sensitive and specific method for detecting the targeted pathogens, helping healthcare professionals identify potential causes of gastrointestinal illness and guide appropriate clinical management.

Bacteria and Parasites Tested

This panel screens for seven pathogen targets:

Campylobacter spp. (Cam) – Common bacteria associated with food poisoning, diarrhoea, abdominal cramps and fever.

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

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

Salmonella spp. (Sal) – Bacteria commonly transmitted through contaminated food or water, potentially causing diarrhoea, fever and abdominal pain.

Shigella spp. / Enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC) – Bacterial pathogens associated with intestinal infections, diarrhoea, stomach cramps and occasionally bloody stools.

Giardia lamblia (GL) – An intestinal parasite that can cause prolonged diarrhoea, bloating, excessive gas, abdominal discomfort and malabsorption.

Cryptosporidium spp. (CR) – Intestinal parasites commonly associated with watery diarrhoea, abdominal cramps and gastrointestinal illness, often transmitted through contaminated water.

Who Should Consider This Test?

This test may be suitable for individuals who:

Experience persistent, recurrent or unexplained diarrhoea.

Have abdominal pain, bloating, stomach cramps or digestive discomfort.

Develop symptoms following suspected food poisoning.

Experience gastrointestinal symptoms after international travel.

Have potentially consumed contaminated food or untreated water.

Suspect an intestinal bacterial or parasitic infection.

Require further investigation of prolonged gastrointestinal symptoms.

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 and parasitic pathogens and does not screen for every possible cause of gastrointestinal illness.

A positive PCR result indicates the detection of targeted pathogen genetic material and should be interpreted in the context of the patient's clinical presentation. A negative result does not completely exclude an intestinal infection.

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