Gut flora – E. coli + Enterococci + Lactobacilli + Bifidobacteria
€ 75,00
Bacteria in the gut produce vitamins, neutralize toxic substances and form an indispensable barrier against the outside world. A healthy gut flora plays an essential role in our health and immunity, and a decrease in the amount of beneficial bacteria can cause symptoms and reduced resistance.
The GUT FLORA PANEL 1 module examines the amounts per gram of stool of the bacteria:
- Enterobacteriaceae/E. coli
- Enterococcus spp.
- Lactobacillus spp.
- Bifidobacterium spp.
€ 75,00
Description
Gut flora – E. coli, Enterococci, Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria
A healthy gut flora consists of a great many different micro-organisms. With this test we specifically examine four groups of bacteria that should normally be present in the gut flora: E. coli, Enterococci, Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria.
The numbers can help assess whether important components of the gut flora are reduced. In addition, the ratio between Enterobacteriaceae and E. coli is assessed. A shift in this ratio may indicate an imbalance within the part of the gut flora examined.
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When is this test suitable?
Targeted testing of several bacterial groups in the normal gut flora and their relative proportions.
- You have recurring gastrointestinal symptoms, such as bloating, flatulence or a change in bowel pattern.
- Your symptoms started or changed after a course of antibiotics.
- You want to investigate whether important bacterial groups of the normal gut flora are present in sufficient amounts.
- You have previously had gut flora testing and want the values measured again.
- You want to look specifically at a possible shift between E. coli and other Enterobacteriaceae.
Important: gastrointestinal symptoms can have many different causes. An abnormal result does not automatically mean that the cause of your symptoms has been identified.
What do we test?
Four bacterial groups and the ratio between Enterobacteriaceae and E. coli.
Escherichia coli (E. coli)
A normal inhabitant of the intestine and a member of the Enterobacteriaceae family.
Enterococci
Bacteria that normally occur in the gastrointestinal tract.
Lactobacilli
Lactic-acid-producing bacteria that can be part of the normal gut flora.
Bifidobacteria
Anaerobic bacteria that normally occur in the intestine.
Enterobacteriaceae in relation to E. coli
The ratio between the total number of Enterobacteriaceae and the proportion of E. coli within that total.
The test focuses on these measurements and does not map all bacterial species in the intestine.
What can the result tell you?
The numbers and their relative proportions together provide information about the part of your gut flora examined.
When interpreting the result, we first look at the presence and numbers of the four bacterial groups tested. If one or more groups are clearly reduced, this may fit with a reduction or disruption of this part of the gut flora. The significance is always assessed in relation to the other values and your situation.
The ratio between Enterobacteriaceae and E. coli is also relevant. E. coli itself belongs to the Enterobacteriaceae. In a more favorable pattern, E. coli makes up a large proportion of the measured Enterobacteriaceae. If other Enterobacteriaceae become relatively predominant, this may indicate a shift within this bacterial family and therefore a possible imbalance.
The total number of Enterobacteriaceae alone is therefore not sufficient for interpretation. A lower total count can coincide with a less favorable ratio if the proportion of E. coli decreases and other Enterobacteriaceae increase relatively. The ratio provides additional information alongside the individual counts.
Good to know: these findings are indications concerning the part of the gut flora examined. On their own, they do not constitute a diagnosis and do not provide a complete picture of the gut microbiome.
Explanation of the values tested
What the individual bacterial groups and their proportions may mean.
E. coli
E. coli belongs to the Enterobacteriaceae family and normally occurs in the human intestine. This test measures how much E. coli is found in the stool sample. A clearly reduced count, together with the other values, may fit with reduced representation of the normal gut flora. E. coli is also important for assessing the proportions within the Enterobacteriaceae.
Enterobacteriaceae and their ratio to E. coli
Enterobacteriaceae are a family of bacteria that includes E. coli . The culture measures both the total number of Enterobacteriaceae and E. coli. This makes it possible to calculate what proportion of this family consists of E. coli . If other Enterobacteriaceae become predominant, this may indicate a shift even when the total count is not elevated.
Enterococci
Enterococci are normal inhabitants of the gastrointestinal tract. The test shows whether these bacteria are detectable and in what quantity. A markedly reduced count, especially when other normal bacterial groups are also reduced, may fit with decreased gut flora. An individual value is not assessed separately from the overall picture.
Lactobacilli
Lactobacilli are lactic-acid-producing bacteria that can normally occur in the gastrointestinal tract. In the laboratory, they are specifically cultured and quantified. Low counts may be part of a pattern in which several normal bacterial groups are reduced. The result does not indicate how many different Lactobacillus species are present and is not independent evidence of a deficiency that needs treatment.
Bifidobacteria
Bifidobacteria are anaerobic bacteria normally present in the intestine. They are included in this test to provide a broader view of several important normal intestinal inhabitants. This value is also interpreted together with the other results.
How does the test work?
From collecting the sample at home to reporting the bacterial values and their relative ratio.
- You order the test and receive the required sampling materials with instructions.
- You collect a small amount of stool at home according to the instructions.
- You package and send the sample according to the enclosed instructions.
- The laboratory determines the relevant bacterial values and assesses the ratio between Enterobacteriaceae and E. coli.
- You receive a report with the results.
Results and next steps
Assess the individual bacterial values and the ratio in the context of your symptoms and circumstances.
The report shows the bacterial values tested separately. For Enterobacteriaceae and E. coli, their relative ratio is also important. This can show whether E. coli predominates within this family or whether other Enterobacteriaceae are relatively more strongly represented.
If there is an abnormal pattern, it is useful to consider the result in the context of your symptoms, recent antibiotic use, diet and any previous stool tests. Depending on the symptoms, additional tests may be more relevant, for example for inflammatory activity, parasites or digestive parameters.
If necessary, discuss abnormal results with your treating doctor or another appropriate healthcare professional. Do not start or change treatment solely on the basis of one bacterial value.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to frequently asked questions about this targeted gut flora test.
No. The gut contains a great many different bacterial species. This test focuses on four normal bacterial groups and on the ratio between Enterobacteriaceae and E. coli. Other testing techniques are required for a much broader analysis of bacterial composition.
E. coli, Enterococci, Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria are bacterial groups that should normally be present in the gut flora. By assessing the counts together, it is possible to see whether important representatives of the normal gut flora are reduced.
E. coli itself belongs to the Enterobacteriaceae. When E. coli makes up a large proportion of the total, this gives a different pattern from when other Enterobacteriaceae predominate. Such a shift may indicate an imbalance within this part of the gut flora.
No. The total count and the relative ratio must be considered together. A lower total may be less favorable if the proportion of E. coli simultaneously decreases markedly and other Enterobacteriaceae increase relatively.
The result may provide indications of an imbalance, for example when normal bacterial groups are strongly reduced or when the ratio between E. coli and other Enterobacteriaceae has shifted. Because only part of the gut flora is examined, the test is not an independent diagnosis of dysbiosis.
It means that this bacterial group was found in a lower count in the sample tested. The significance depends on the other values, your symptoms and circumstances such as recent antibiotic use. A single low value is therefore not interpreted in isolation.
Questions about this test?
Contact us if you are unsure which test best fits your symptoms or the question you want investigated.
Would you like to know whether important bacterial groups in your gut flora are present in sufficient amounts and how E. coli relates to total Enterobacteriaceae? This test provides targeted information about these values. If you have questions or are unsure which test fits your symptoms, contact Darmklachten.nl.
Order a gut flora test
Targeted testing of E. coli, Enterococci, Lactobacilli, Bifidobacteria and the proportions within Enterobacteriaceae.
Would you like to have the four bacterial groups and the ratio between Enterobacteriaceae and E. coli tested?
You can order the gut flora test at the top of this page.
