| Humoralpathologisches Forschungslabor | Stool test

Diagnostics of intestinal flora

Stool tests are of essential value to assist with both diagnostics and control of treatment with medication or diet in regards to gastric diseases.

For the purpose of differential diagnostics we offer the following methods of analysis.

  • Quantitative - consisting of aerobe and anaerobe bacteria in the physiological intestinal flora
  • Indication of enteropathogenic micro organisms (creators of disease) in the stool
  • Examination of fungus in the stool.
  • Untersuchung auf Parasiten im Stuhl
  • Examination of inflammatory parameters in the stool
  • Examination of digestive parameters in the stool.
  • Determination of immune parameters.

The physiological importance of the intestinal flora is getting an ever growing attention within modern diagnostics and treatment. As opposed to the skin with its surface of some 2 m2 and the lungs with an area of roughly 100 m2 - the intestines take a distinctive place with a dimension of 300 to 500 m2 . With its open structural and functional system the intestines become the principal contact with the surrounding world in the human organism.

The gastrointestinal tract is colonized by between1014 till 1015 bacterial microbes, which are 10 to 100 times more than that of a human cell. The bacterial flora contributes with its some 800 g – for an adult – to the total body mass.

The physiological intestinal flora has essential functions:

  • Protects the organism against infections with pathogen microbes (barrier function)
  • Is beneficial to the metabolism and the blood flow in the intestinal mucosa.
  • Influences the intestinal associated immune system (GALT= gut associated lymphoid tissue)
  • Gets the intestinal motility going
  • Provision of vitamins (B1, B2, B6, B12, folic acid, biotin, niacin, K2)

Multiple factors can contribute to the change of the physiological intestinal flora, as e.g.:

  • Reduction of the digestive capacity through the liver and pancreas
  • Stress on the immune system
  • Intensive treatment with antibiotics
  • Improper nourishment
  • Harmful substances and some medication
  • Psychological factors
  • Increased acidity

Non-physiological micro organisms may get the upper hand and through its metabolic activities become a harsh burden for the organism. This can entail that the intestines become more susceptible to harmful matters. Such harmful matters can also be allergenic substances, which cause allergic reactions. The restoration of a normal intestinal flora can subsequently be considered as a basic therapeutic measure.

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