• Digestive symptoms: Persistent diarrhoea, constipation, bloating, gas or abdominal discomfort.
• Suspected gut disorders: IBS, IBD or other gastrointestinal conditions where stool analysis may be informative.
• Food sensitivities: Digestive or systemic reactions potentially linked with food triggers.
• Inflammatory or autoimmune concerns: Exploring gut-related factors in chronic inflammation or immune imbalance.
• Malabsorption or nutrient concerns: Unexplained weight changes, low nutrients or fatigue where digestion or absorption is questioned.
• Systemic symptoms: Skin issues, headaches, joint discomfort or fatigue possibly linked with gut imbalance.
• Infection or travel exposure: Possible parasite exposure, recurrent gut infections or symptoms after travel.
• Dysbiosis or overgrowth: Suspected bacterial or yeast imbalance, especially following antibiotics.
• Medication-related effects: Long-term NSAID or antibiotic use with potential impact on gut comfort or function.

Overview

The Comprehensive Stool Analysis & Parasitology (CSAP) x2 profile provides a broad evaluation of gastrointestinal function by analysing two stool samples collected on separate days. The test reviews digestion, absorption, inflammation, microbial balance and parasitology markers using microbiology, EIA, HPLC and microscopy-based methods, including bacterial and yeast cultures, PCR-based pathogen detection and ova and parasite examination.

This profile may be clinically useful when exploring persistent digestive symptoms, food-related reactions, nutrient concerns or systemic symptoms that may be linked with gastrointestinal imbalance. Reviewing two samples can offer a broader view of microbial and parasitology findings that may vary from day to day. Markers assessed include stool chemistries, inflammatory proteins, short-chain fatty acids, pancreatic enzymes, immune markers and the presence of bacteria, yeasts, parasites and selected infectious organisms.

Practitioners typically interpret CSAP x2 findings alongside symptom history, dietary intake, medication use, travel exposure and other clinical information. Antimicrobial sensitivity data for cultured organisms may also be considered within the wider clinical context when reviewing digestive and microbial patterns for individual clients.

Practical

Practical (add-ons available)

Specimen requirements: STOOL

QUANTITY: Each vial must be filled until the indicated fill line, and must not be filled to the top.

STORAGE: 

Black & Orange capped vials: REFRIGERATE (DO NOT freeze)

White capped vial: FREEZE for at least 6 hours

PLEASE NOTE:

If there are any missing or improperly produced samples, the following options are available:

1. SEND A NEW (COMPLETE) SAMPLE, where the patient/practitioner will be liable for the added shipment costs.

2. REQUEST a downgraded version of the test. The downgraded report will only contain the analytes measured from each vile:

   - BLACK capped vial: parasitology

   - YELLOW/ORANGE capped vial: Bacteria/Yeast Culture & PCR

   - WHITE capped vial: all stool chemistries (acetate, butyrate, calprotectin, elastase, fat stain, lactoferrin, lysozyme, mucus, muscle fibres, occult blood, pH, propionate, RBC, SIgA, valerate, vegetable fibres and WBC.

Once the downgraded version of the test has been requested based on the delivered vials, the invoice price will be adjusted to accommodate the new report. A new order will have to be submitted to receive a full report, as results cannot be transferred between past orders.

No Call / Inhibited
In certain circumstances, stool samples may not yield results for a limited section of viruses, pathogenic bacteria and parasites [known as : No Call / Inhibited]. Statistically this can affect approximately 6% of tests.
Many factors contribute to this issue including diet, medication, supplements, and competing DNA. Excessive calcium, tannic acid, bile salts, haemoglobin, melanin, collagen, urea, degradation products, complex polysaccharides and polyphenolic substances have also been found to cause inhibition.Test reports affected are not considered to be defective and thus are not eligible for cancellation or refunds.
Resubmission of the a supplementary sample to attempt analysis can be accommodated with billable costs limited to supply and return shipping.
By ordering this test, you accept the conditions and risks explained here.

The x2 indicates two day collection.

When doing the stool test, you have seven (7) days to collect all the vials from the date you start collecting the first vial.

Taking enzymes will affect the results. We recommend to stop taking digestive enzymes 2 days before starting the test and during the test.

We do allow for patients to take magnesium citrate, Psyllium grain, or prune juice.

Age requirements:

Applicable to all ages. For infants and new-borns, collect from the middle of the stool, not touching the diaper as this will contaminate the sample. The stool needs to be free of urine.

Available add-ons:

• H. Pylori

• Zonulin

• Beta-glucuronidase

Research

Research

Imbalanced flora

Mackowiak PA. The normal microbial flora. N Engl J Med. 1982;307(2):83-93.

Dysbiotic Flora

• Lispki E. Digestive Wellness. New Canaan,CT: Keats Publishing;1996.

• Mitsuoka T. Intestinal Flora and Aging. Nutr Rev 1992;50(12):438-446.

• Murray MT. Stomach Ailments and Digestive Disturbances. Rocklin, CA: Prima Publishing; 1997.

• Pereira SP, Gainsborough N, Dowling RH. Drug-induced Hypochlorhydria Causes High Duodenal Bacterial Counts in the Elderly. Ailment Pharmacol Ther 1998;12(1)99-104.

• Weisburger JH. Tea and Health: The Underlying Mechanisms. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 1999;220(4):271-275.4.

Beneficial Flora

• Elmer G, Surawicz C, and McFarland L. Biotherapeutic agents - a Neglected Modality for the Treatment and Prevention of Intestinal and Vaginal Infections. JAMA. 1996; 275(11):870-876.

• Fitzsimmons N and Berry D. Inhibition of Candida albicans by Lactobacillus acidophilus: Evidence for Involvement of a Peroxidase System. Microbio. 1994; 80:125-133

• Fuller R. Probiotics in Human Medicine. Gut. 1991;32: 439-442.

• Oksanen P, Salminen S, Saxelin M, et al. Prevention of Travelers’ Diarrhea by Lactobacillus GG. Ann Med. 1990; 22:53-56.

• Percival M. Intestinal Health. Clin Nutr In. 1997;5(5):1-6.

• Perdigon G, Alvarez M, et al. The Oral Administration of Lactic Acid Bacteria Increases the Mucosal Intestinal Immunity in Response to Enteropathogens. J Food Prot. 1990;53:404-410.

• Siitonen S, Vapaatalo H, Salminen S, et al. Effect of Lactobacilli GG Yoghurt in Prevention of Antibiotic Associated Diarrhea. Ann Med. 1990; 22:57-59.

• Valeur, N, et al. Colonization and Immunomodulation by Lactobacillus reuteri ATCC 55730 in the Human Gastrointestinal Tract. Appl Environ. Microbiol. 2004 Feb; 70(2):1176-81.

• Weisburger JH. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 1999;220(4):271-5.