As a provider, when someone comes in with any gastrointestinal complaints, it is almost impossible to definitively diagnose the issue without gaining more clues. This involves doing a thorough assessment on the patient and also further identifying the symptoms. While some cases can be simple, other gastrointestinal symptoms can be much harder to diagnose. So after you perform your full physical assessment, your next step should always be labs. Pharmacogenetic Testing is a GI diagnosis lab in Texas. When a patient is hurting, you need results fast. We can give you specific results within an hour with our molecular PCR gastrointestinal panel.
Molecular PCR Gastrointestinal Panel
The molecular PCR gastrointestinal panel is a way that patients can be quickly and reliably diagnosed. We test and analyze specimens for 22 types of bacteria, parasites, and viruses. As a GI diagnosis lab in Texas, this is a vital tool that many hospitals and clinics around the state take advantage of. The sample is taken from the patient by either a stool sample of rectal swab. Once we have the specimen, your results are typically completed and reported within an hour! Not only is this convenient for the provider, it can truly save a patient’s life and lower the risk of exposure for others around them. Our testing includes:
- Bacteria
- Campylobacter (jejuni, coli and upsaliensis)
- Clostridium difficile (toxin A/B)
- Plesiomonas shigelloides
- Salmonella
- Yersinia enterocolitica
- Vibrio (parahaemolyticus, vulnificus and cholerae)
- Diarrheagenic E. coli/Shigella
- Enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC)
- Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC)
- Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) lt/st
- Shiga-like toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) stx1/stx2
- Shigella/Enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC)
- Parasites
- Cryptosporidium
- Cyclospora cayetanensis
- Entamoeba histolytica
- Giardia lamblia
- Viruses
- Adenovirus F 40/41
- Astrovirus
- Norovirus GI/GII
- Rotavirus A
- Sapovirus (I, II, IV and V)
When To Order A Molecular PCR Gastrointestinal Panel
So when is it appropriate to order our molecular PCR gastrointestinal panel? Take a look at some of the chief complaints that can benefit from a molecular PCR gastrointestinal panel:
- Generalized abdominal pain with no other symptoms
- Abnormal weight loss over a short period of time
- Left lower quadrant abdominal pain
- Blood in the stool
- Colitis, enteritis and gastroenteritis with both known and unknown sick contacts
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Prolonged diarrhea (greater than 2 weeks)
- Nausea with or without vomiting
- Vomiting alone
There are so many benefits to our molecular PCR gastrointestinal panel. If your patient is having gastrointestinal symptoms and you need to identify if it’s viral, bacterial, or even a parasite, our GI diagnosis lab can help. For more information or to order labs today, call Pharmacogenetic Testing at 1-855-306-8318.
