Gastrointestinal (GI) pathogen panels are used to simultaneously test for the presence of multiple disease-causing microbes in a stool sample and help diagnose an infection of the digestive system (GI tract).
Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria are part of healthy digestive systems, but some strains produce poisons called Shiga toxins that can cause severe diarrhea and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Lab tests can detect these disease-causing E. coli to help diagnose an infection.
Some microbes, including bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses, cause infections in humans. Because microbes contain genetic material (DNA and RNA) that is different from the genetic material in human cells, genetic testing techniques can be used to test for infections.
A stool culture helps diagnose an infection of the digestive system when a person has diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramping, and blood or mucus in the stool.