Gastrointestinal Panel
Private Gastrointestinal Panel testing for £178, assessing 23 bacterial, viral and parasitic stool PCR targets with results in around 1–2 days.
Turnaround time
1-2 business days
Biomarkers count
23
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Overview of the Gastrointestinal Panel Test
The Gastrointestinal Panel is a comprehensive stool PCR test designed to detect a broad range of bacterial, viral and parasitic pathogens associated with infectious gastroenteritis.
The panel assesses 23 pathogen targets from a stool sample.
Gastrointestinal infections can produce very similar symptoms regardless of the organism responsible.
Diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting and fever can occur with bacterial, viral and parasitic infections, making it difficult to identify the cause from symptoms alone.
PCR, or polymerase chain reaction, detects genetic material associated with the organisms included in the panel.
This allows numerous pathogen targets to be assessed simultaneously from one sample.
The panel includes common causes of acute gastroenteritis such as Norovirus, Campylobacter, Salmonella and Rotavirus, together with several diarrhoeagenic E. coli targets.
It also includes parasites such as Giardia lamblia, Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora cayetanensis and Entamoeba histolytica.
Travel history can be particularly relevant because some pathogens occur more frequently after exposure to contaminated food or water in particular regions.
Recent antibiotic treatment also matters.
For example, diarrhoea following antibiotic use can raise concern about Clostridium difficile, although the significance of a molecular result still depends on the clinical context.
PCR is highly sensitive for detecting pathogen genetic material.
However, detection does not automatically prove that every identified organism is responsible for the current symptoms.
Clinical interpretation remains important, particularly where more than one target is detected.
What Does the Gastrointestinal Panel Test Check?
The panel uses stool PCR to assess a broad range of infectious gastrointestinal pathogens, including bacterial, viral and parasitic targets. This test measures 23 specialist pathogen targets.
Adenovirus - Detects adenovirus genetic material associated with viral gastroenteritis.
Astrovirus - Detects Astrovirus, an established viral cause of acute gastrointestinal infection.
Norovirus GI/GII - Detects the principal norovirus genogroups responsible for highly contagious gastroenteritis.
Rotavirus A - Detects Rotavirus A, a recognised cause of acute diarrhoeal illness.
Sapovirus (GI GII GIV GV) - Detects multiple Sapovirus genogroups associated with viral gastroenteritis.
Campylobacter spp - Detects Campylobacter species associated with foodborne bacterial gastroenteritis.
Clostridium Difficile Toxin A/B - Detects the toxin-associated target included for Clostridium difficile investigation.
Enteroaggregative E. coli - Detects enteroaggregative E. coli, one of several diarrhoeagenic E. coli groups.
Enteroinvasive E. coli/Shigella - Detects genetic targets associated with enteroinvasive E. coli and Shigella.
Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli - Detects enteropathogenic Escherichia coli associated with diarrhoeal illness.
Enterotoxigenic E. coli LT/ST - Detects enterotoxigenic E. coli carrying heat-labile and/or heat-stable toxin-associated targets.
Plesiomonas shigelloides - Detects a water- and food-associated bacterium capable of causing gastroenteritis.
Salmonella spp - Detects Salmonella species associated with foodborne and gastrointestinal infection.
Shiga-like toxin producing E.coli 0157:H7 - Detects the specific Shiga-like toxin producing E.coli 0157:H7 target included within the panel.
Shiga-like toxin producing Escherichia coli (Stx-1 / Stx-2) - Detects Shiga toxin-associated Stx-1 and Stx-2 targets in Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli.
Vibrio cholerae - Detects Vibrio cholerae, the bacterial species associated with cholera.
Vibrio parahaemolyticus - Detects a marine Vibrio species commonly associated with contaminated or undercooked seafood.
Vibrio vulnificus - Detects Vibrio vulnificus, a marine organism capable of causing gastrointestinal and invasive infection.
Yersinia enterocolitica - Detects Yersinia enterocolitica, a bacterial cause of gastroenteritis and abdominal pain.
Cryptosporidium - Detects Cryptosporidium, a protozoan parasite associated with watery diarrhoea.
Cyclospora cayetanensis - Detects Cyclospora cayetanensis, a parasite associated with prolonged or recurrent watery diarrhoea.
Entamoeba histolytica - Detects Entamoeba histolytica, the protozoan parasite responsible for intestinal amoebiasis.
Giardia lamblia - Detects Giardia lamblia, a common protozoan parasite associated with diarrhoea, bloating and malabsorption.
Who May Benefit From the Gastrointestinal Panel Test?
A broad stool PCR panel can be useful when an infectious cause of gastrointestinal illness is being investigated and several organisms need to be considered at once.
People with persistent or significant diarrhoea - Multiplex testing can investigate several bacterial, viral and parasitic causes from one sample.
People who became unwell after international travel - Travel can increase exposure to pathogens transmitted through contaminated food or water.
People with suspected foodborne infection - Campylobacter, Salmonella, diarrhoeagenic E. coli and other targets are included.
People with gastrointestinal symptoms after antibiotic use - Clostridium Difficile Toxin A/B is among the included targets.
People with fever, cramps and diarrhoea following a suspected infectious exposure - PCR can help identify a pathogen where symptoms alone cannot distinguish the cause.
People with recurrent unexplained gastrointestinal infection symptoms - Broad pathogen testing may help where repeated episodes have not been explained.
People requiring parasite testing after travel or water exposure - Giardia lamblia, Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora cayetanensis and Entamoeba histolytica are included.
People advised to undergo multiplex gastrointestinal PCR by a clinician - The broad panel can reduce the need to order numerous individual pathogen tests separately.
Symptoms and Reasons to Consider the Gastrointestinal Panel Test
Infectious gastrointestinal disease can range from mild self-limiting illness to significant dehydration or invasive infection.
Persistent diarrhoea - Ongoing loose stools can occur with bacterial, viral or parasitic infection.
Severe abdominal cramps - Gastrointestinal pathogens can cause significant intestinal inflammation and pain.
Nausea and vomiting - These symptoms commonly accompany acute gastroenteritis.
Fever with diarrhoea - Fever may suggest an infectious or inflammatory process and can be relevant to test interpretation.
Symptoms following overseas travel - Exposure to unfamiliar food, water or sanitation conditions can increase infection risk.
Symptoms after eating suspected contaminated food - Foodborne illness can involve several organisms included in the panel.
Diarrhoea following antibiotic treatment - Clostridium difficile is an important consideration after antibiotic-associated disruption of the gut microbiome.
Prolonged watery diarrhoea - Parasites such as Giardia lamblia, Cryptosporidium and Cyclospora cayetanensis may be relevant depending on exposure history.
Severe dehydration, persistent high fever, black or heavily bloody stools, severe abdominal pain, confusion or inability to keep fluids down requires prompt medical assessment.
Some detected pathogens have treatment, infection-control or public-health implications.
A negative Gastrointestinal Panel does not exclude every possible infectious or non-infectious cause of gastrointestinal symptoms.
How to Prepare
Do not stop prescribed antibiotics or other medication solely to obtain a different test result unless advised by a clinician.
If you are acutely unwell or significantly dehydrated, seek medical care rather than delaying assessment while arranging a home stool test.
How to Book Your Gastrointestinal Panel Test
The Gastrointestinal Panel can be booked privately for broad stool PCR assessment of 23 bacterial, viral and parasitic pathogen targets.
Choose the Gastrointestinal Panel
Select the Gastrointestinal Panel online.
Select your sample collection option
Arrange the appropriate stool collection kit and follow the supplied return instructions.
Attend your appointment
Clinic attendance is not normally required for stool collection; collect the specimen at home according to the kit instructions.
Laboratory analysis
Your stool sample undergoes multiplex PCR analysis for the 23 pathogen targets included in the panel.
Receive your results securely
Your authorised report is delivered securely and identifies the individual targets detected or not detected according to the laboratory method.
When Will I Receive My Results?
The current live London Blood Tests page lists a turnaround of approximately 1–2 days after laboratory receipt for the Gastrointestinal Panel.
The turnaround begins after a suitable stool specimen reaches the laboratory.
The sample undergoes molecular extraction, multiplex PCR analysis, quality-control procedures and result authorisation.
Delayed transport, insufficient sample volume, leakage or another specimen-quality issue can delay processing or require a repeat sample.
Understanding Your Results
Results are generally reported for each included pathogen target according to whether relevant genetic material was detected.
A not detected result means the panel did not identify the included target above the assay's detection threshold.
It does not exclude pathogens that are not included in the panel or non-infectious explanations for gastrointestinal symptoms.
A detected result indicates that genetic material associated with that pathogen target was identified.
The clinical significance depends on the organism, symptoms and wider circumstances.
For example, some detections may fit closely with an acute gastroenteritis presentation, while others require additional interpretation.
More than one organism can occasionally be detected.
That does not automatically mean every detected organism is contributing equally to the illness.
Certain results, including Shiga toxin-producing E. coli or other clinically significant pathogens, may require specific management and should be reviewed promptly with an appropriate healthcare professional.
Why Book With London Blood Tests?
London Blood Tests provides private access to broad multiplex gastrointestinal PCR testing from a home-collected stool sample.
Assesses 23 pathogen targets - One panel covers a broad selection of bacteria, viruses and parasites.
Includes important travel-related organisms - Giardia lamblia, Cyclospora cayetanensis, Entamoeba histolytica, Vibrio species and other targets are included.
Includes several diarrhoeagenic E. coli targets - The panel assesses multiple pathogenic E. coli groups.
Non-invasive collection - Testing uses a stool sample rather than a blood draw.
Home sample collection - Clinic attendance is not normally required to provide the specimen.
Rapid molecular laboratory analysis - Results are currently expected approximately 1–2 days after laboratory receipt.
Clear target-by-target reporting - The laboratory report identifies findings across the organisms included in the assay.
Clear pricing - The Gastrointestinal Panel costs £178.
Private Gastrointestinal Panel Test in London
London Blood Tests provides private Gastrointestinal Panel testing for people investigating possible infectious causes of diarrhoea, gastroenteritis or persistent gastrointestinal symptoms.
The test costs £178 and assesses 23 bacterial, viral and parasitic pathogen targets.
Results are expected approximately 1–2 days after laboratory receipt.
The Gastrointestinal Panel is an infectious-pathogen investigation and is different from microbiome profiling, inflammatory stool testing or tests used to investigate non-infectious bowel conditions.