The gastrointestinal tract is essentially an external part of the body. This is the reason we do not have to sterilize our food, but only be sure it is clean and wholesome. Presently, the risk of being infected or infested by pathogenic organisms through food and water is ever increasing. This is due to several reasons: immigration; frequent overseas travel; importation of vegetables and fruits; lack of a public health policy to screen food handlers for transmissible pathogens; outdoor and wilderness excursions; agricultural pollution; pets at home, etc.

Currently, World Health Organization studies indicate that about 1/2 billion individuals are infected annually by Amoeba histolytica and about the same number are infected by Giardia and cryptosporidium. Considering all parasites, more than 1/4 of the Earth's population is infected at any one time. More serious efforts must be made to prevent, identify, and treat these widespread and debilitating infections.

Mode of transmission and who is at risk

The predominant method of transmission of parasites is the fecal- oral route through hand contact with infected individuals or via contaminated water and food. Many parasites are highly transmissible within a household environment. All family members should be tested if one member is positive for GI infection.

People with suppressed immunity, e.g. T-cell (white cell) dysfunction and defects in intestinal antibody (IgA) secretion, are predisposed to protracted and heavy infections with GI pathogens. Individuals with cancer and those receiving chemotherapy for cancer are very susceptible to parasitic infection(s). Frequent and excessive over-utilization of antibiotics renders the GI tract more susceptible to chronic overgrowth of harmful micro-organisms. These can produce a wide range of systemic toxins and/or cause severe irritation of large areas of fragile, nutrient absorbing intestinal tissue.

Bodily functions affected by GI pathogens

Intestinal pathogen infections cannot be clinically differentiated solely on the basis of medical history, physical exam and/or symptoms. Specific diagnosis requires laboratory evaluation and confirmation. In most laboratories the general request for stool ova and parasite screening does not include the specialized testing and confirmation provided by the GI Health Panel.™ Asymptomatic, mild symptomatic and overt GI pathogen infections can affect and deter gastrointestinal function, and, if undetected, will lead to chronic illness.

Treatment and Prevention

Detection and specific diagnosis of the pathogens, including a broad spectrum of micro-flora and common parasites are of paramount importance. This is because successful therapy is dependent on two primary issues:

• Accurate and specific diagnosis of the causative agents in a patient who presents with otherwise general and non-specific complaints and symptoms.
• Specific therapeutic agents can be targeted to eradicate offending micro-organisms with an extremely high success rate, with minimal side effects.

Gastrointestinal Health Panel™

The GI Health Panel™ is a non-invasive screen of the gastro-intestinal tract and its function. It includes at least 15-22 individual, but related tests. Stool and saliva samples are submitted by the patient after home collection.

Logic of testing

To insure high sensitivity and specificity of pathogenic organism detection, Diagnos-Techs employs a variety of methods in the GI Health Panel™ tests. These tests utilize proven biochemical and state-of-the-art immunological and other methods. The panel includes:

1. Pathogen screening: bacteria, fungi, yeast, and various parasites.
2. Digestion related screens: enzyme levels and immunochemical markers for intolerance to common offending foods.
3. Intestinal function markers to evaluate irritation and inflammation; markers indicate overall status of gut immunity and integrity, i.e. occult blood, etc.

Call today to find out about testing for you and your family. Tel: (972) 751-9966