Articles
DNA stool microbiology testing via Metametrix
Metametrix Clinical Laboratory located in Georgia, North America is one of the worlds leading integrative medicine laboratories, serving clients internationally. They have recently released a cutting-edge stool microbiology test for intestinal bacteria, parasites and yeast. This test uses DNA technology in which laboratory equipment detects the genetic material of individual organisms. There are a number of key advantages of this method over the old testing method of microbiological culture.
One of the key problems with the culture method for analysing intestinal micro-organisms is that some intestinal organisms are aerobes, which have an oxygen based metabolism, while others are anaerobes, which die when exposed to oxygen. This created problems during transport to the lab as conditions can not be ideal for all organisms, causing levels to change. Another problem with culture methods is in the lab certain organisms grow preferentially to others. Different growth mediums and environments favour certain organisms at the expense of others. The DNA test flash kills organisms in formalin upon collection and then analyses genetic material in the lab, so is independent of transport and lab conditions. DNA analysis is highly sensitive, being able to detect single genomes of organisms, whereas culture has limited sensitivity. Due to the above issues DNA analysis is able to accurately quantitate levels of organisms, whereas culture methods can not. The DNA method also has greatly increased sensitivity for detecting parasites. Using older techniques parasites are only detectable during certain stages of their life cycle producing many false negatives.
This test also covers a great range of organisms in one simple test.
- Normal healthy bacteria/flora (e.g. acidophilus)
- Opportunistic bacteria (e.g. klebsiella)
- Pathogenic bacteria (e.g. Helicobacter pylori)
- Parasites (e.g. Giardia)
- Yeast (e.g. Candida)
More information.
Who should have this test done?
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Fibromyalgia
- Autism/ADD/ADHD
- Auto-Immune Diseases
- Malabsorption syndromes.
- Dermatological conditions (e.g. eczema, psoriasis, acne)
Test offer for Australians.
In Australia Metametrix tests are handled by Diagnostic Insight in Sydney. If you wish to have this test done for yourself, print off this test form, call Diagnostic insight (details at the bottom of form) and order the 'Microbial Ecology Profile (2105)' test kit. If you then email me your full name and date of birth, I can then email you the results as soon as they come in, and will not charge any consultation or administrative fees.
Blake Graham, BSc (Honours), AACNEM
Clinical Nutritionist
Perth, Western Australia
Phone/Email: See Contact page
*Non-Perth residents may enquire about phone consultations.
