The Comprehensive Parasitology is a gastrointestinal stool test which evaluates for presence of parasites. Additionally the stool test evaluates levels of beneficial flora, imbalanced flora, pathogenic bacteria, and yeast. This stool test can help reveal hidden causes behind acute or chronic conditions that develop from parasitic infection or dysbiosis. The Comprehensive Parasitology stool test is ideal for patients with sudden changes in bowel pattern, especially for those who have been traveling abroad or camping.
It is generally assumed that travel to a Third World country or the occasional camping trips are prerequisites for acquiring a parasite infection. The truth is the combination of extensive worldwide travel, increasing immigration to the United States, day care centers (and other sources of easy transmission) -- anyone is now susceptible. Diarrheal diseases, in fact, (bacterial as well as parasitic) constitute the greatest worldwide cause of morbidity and mortality.
Pathogenicity, in general, appears to vary depending on the parasite itself, host susceptibility, and the microbiological environment in which the parasite lives.
The most common symptoms of parasite infection are diarrhea and abdominal pain. Other parasitic symptoms may include flatulence, anorexia, weight loss, fevers, chills, blood or mucus in the stool, and fatigue.
We generally think of parasite infections as causing acute gastrointestinal symptoms. An increasing number of parasite cases feature systemic complaints not traditionally associated with parasites, such as:
Test Type: Stool Test
Analyte List |
---|
Anti-Microbial Sensitivities: (Prescriptive and natural agents tested on an individual basis) |
Bacteriology Culture - Beneficial Bacteria (Bifidobacterium, E.Coli, Lactobacillus) |
Bacteriology Culture - Imbalanced and dysbiotic flora |
Mycology (yeast culture) |
Parasitology (microscopic) |
Specimen Requirements |
---|
5cc random stool in each vial- 3 SAFs - 1 Cary/Blair |