What Makes The GI-MAP™ Different?
- Single stool sample as opposed to multiple stool samples
- Evidence-based and transparent: all data available in the fully-referenced 45-page White Paper below
- Automated, multiplex DNA (PCR) analysis method, allowing for the simultaneous measurement of multiple bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses (more info below)
- Using DNA sequencing allows for superior sensitivity and specificity in the detection of 15 of the most common causes of gastroenteritis, as well as other chronic diseases
- Intestinal health markers allow for a comprehensive analysis of your gut microbiome, together with markers of inflammation, mucosal immune system and digestion
Implementing The GI-MAP™ Stool Testing in Clinical Practice. A in-depth overview on this test.
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Clinically Effective GI Treatments Utilizing the GI-MAP™ Test with Dr. Dan Kalish Part 1.
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* Credit to Dr. Jockers for above image
Want To Get Tested?
Below you'll find the two variations of this test that we here at Body Epiphanies conduct. The price does NOT include a consultation overview of your results. This is simply the cost of the testing, we round up by $2 per test just for processing.
BOISE RESIDENTS ONLY, as we have been notified the company does not drop-ship.
BOISE RESIDENTS ONLY, as we have been notified the company does not drop-ship.
GI-Map Assay$347 Total Cost
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GI-Map Assay w/ Zonulin$407 Total Cost
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These are for Boise Residents, or someone local to the area to pick up their test kit
* See an example report below (mine actually)
* Tests are 2.9% less if you pay in cash
* See an example report below (mine actually)
* Tests are 2.9% less if you pay in cash
What Is GI-Map™ Testing?
The Gastrointestinal Microbial Assay Plus (GI-MAP™) was designed to assess a patient’s microbiome from a single stool sample, with particular attention to microbes that may be disturbing normal microbial balance and may contribute to perturbations in the gastrointestinal (GI) flora or illness. The panel is a comprehensive collection of microbial targets as well as immune and digestive markers. It screens for pathogenic bacteria, commensal bacteria, opportunistic pathogens, fungi, viruses, and parasites. It primarily uses automated DNA analysis to give integrative and functional medicine practitioners a better view into the gastrointestinal microbiome.
The GI-MAP™ measures pathogenic organisms that can cause hospital-acquired infections (HAI) such as C. difficile or norovirus, foodborne illness such as E.coli or Salmonella, and common causes of diarrhea such as Campylobacter or Shigella. 5 This panel measures viral causes of gastroenteritis, unavailable by other common stool tests. It measures parasites such as Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and Entamoeba histolytica. The GI-MAP™ analyzes Helicobacter pylori and its virulence factors. It can detect opportunistic pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Proteus mirabilus, associated with autoimmune molecular mimicry. It includes a panel of single-celled, amoebic parasites such as Blastocystis hominis, Dientamoeba fragilis, and Entamoeba coli.
Worms such as Necatur americanus and Trichuris trichuria are recent additions to the GI-MAP™ as well as cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus. Fungal organisms include Candida, Geotrichum, Microsporidia and more. Finally, the GI-MAP™ measures standard markers of immunity, inflammation and digestion including calprotectin, secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA), anti-gliadin antibody, and pancreatic elastase 1. (See the complete list of markers on the GI-MAP™ at the end of this article.)
The GI-MAP™ measures pathogenic organisms that can cause hospital-acquired infections (HAI) such as C. difficile or norovirus, foodborne illness such as E.coli or Salmonella, and common causes of diarrhea such as Campylobacter or Shigella. 5 This panel measures viral causes of gastroenteritis, unavailable by other common stool tests. It measures parasites such as Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and Entamoeba histolytica. The GI-MAP™ analyzes Helicobacter pylori and its virulence factors. It can detect opportunistic pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Proteus mirabilus, associated with autoimmune molecular mimicry. It includes a panel of single-celled, amoebic parasites such as Blastocystis hominis, Dientamoeba fragilis, and Entamoeba coli.
Worms such as Necatur americanus and Trichuris trichuria are recent additions to the GI-MAP™ as well as cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus. Fungal organisms include Candida, Geotrichum, Microsporidia and more. Finally, the GI-MAP™ measures standard markers of immunity, inflammation and digestion including calprotectin, secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA), anti-gliadin antibody, and pancreatic elastase 1. (See the complete list of markers on the GI-MAP™ at the end of this article.)
Download Full White Paper Above
Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory is using a novel DNA technique to detect a comprehensive list of stool bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or quantitative PCR (qPCR) combines amplification and detection into one step. qPCR “is one of the most powerful and sensitive gene analysis techniques available.” It is used to quantify gene expression, analyze single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), determine genotypes, detect pathogens, validate drug targets, and measure RNA interference. 29 DSL has upgraded their technological platform to use qPCR because it is more sensitive and specific.
It meets higher standards for scientific accuracy but does not use the same FDA-cleared pathogen assay of earlier years. The FDA-cleared assay did not quantify pathogens. It only reported a positive or negative (qualitative) finding. In contrast, the new GI-MAP™ will give practitioners quantitative information about Giardia, Clostridium difficile, Salmonella, and many more. Not all pathogens cause disease if they are present. Knowing exactly how much DNA is present can give the practitioner important information for better clinical decision-making.
It meets higher standards for scientific accuracy but does not use the same FDA-cleared pathogen assay of earlier years. The FDA-cleared assay did not quantify pathogens. It only reported a positive or negative (qualitative) finding. In contrast, the new GI-MAP™ will give practitioners quantitative information about Giardia, Clostridium difficile, Salmonella, and many more. Not all pathogens cause disease if they are present. Knowing exactly how much DNA is present can give the practitioner important information for better clinical decision-making.
Dr. Kalish will review the latest technological innovation in functional medicine lab testing with GI-MAP™.
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A shorter GI-MAP™ overview to get acquainted with the technology and breakthroughs it presents.
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"The most exciting technical breakthrough in GI testing."
- Dr. Daniel Kalish
What Advantage Does The GI-MAP™ Offer?
In the last few decades, DNA analysis has transformed the field of microbiology. Culture techniques - previously the standard - leave up to 50% of bacterial species virtually invisible. For instance, anaerobic bacteria make up a large part of the human gut microbiome and can be opportunistic and cause illness, therefore, inability to cultivate these organisms left a large blind spot for clinicians and patient's when trying to diagnose the source of infection.
What's the difference between Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Culture Techniques?
Multiplex PCR makes it possible to simultaneously detect many different organisms in one sample. The automated nature of this method minimises the chance for human error; indeed, this is the only FDA-cleared DNA test for gastrointestinal microbes and pathogens available.
Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) means that many genes are amplified at the same time, as though many separate PCR reactions were happening at once. This technique makes it possible to simultaneously detect many different organisms in one sample. Multiple primers and probes for each organism allow for enhanced sensitivity and specificity. The method measures the 16S or 23S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) regions, virulence factors, and viral targets for microbial detection.
Other stool tests on the market primarily rely on bacterial culture of the stool specimen. A limitation of this method is that only the organisms that grow can be identified, meaning anaerobic organisms and parasites that do not grow under routine culture conditions cannot be identified. This is particularly prevalent with anaerobes like Lactobacillus. Often results of 'NG' or '0+' are reported, but it obviously does not mean it is not present, just simply that it would not grow in the lab, which is also seen with many yeasts and fungi.
A further limitation comes with sensitivity and specificity. The GI-MAP™ reports organisms as <dl (less than detectable limit). This means that there are less than 100 cells per gram for the organism. It does not mean that the stool sample was necessarily void of that organism, but most bacteria need to be present in higher numbers to cause dysbiosis or disease.
In contrast, when culturing bacteria, if there is close to 100 cells per gram it could be reported as positive. This is because when streaking the agar plates, the sample is spread into 4 areas of the plate with slightly less sample in each. If there is growth into the 4th area, even of just a few cells, it is called 4+. Some samples may have 70 cells per gram grow in the 4th quadrant and get reported as 4+ and others may have 10,000 cells per gram and they would also be 4+.
Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) means that many genes are amplified at the same time, as though many separate PCR reactions were happening at once. This technique makes it possible to simultaneously detect many different organisms in one sample. Multiple primers and probes for each organism allow for enhanced sensitivity and specificity. The method measures the 16S or 23S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) regions, virulence factors, and viral targets for microbial detection.
Other stool tests on the market primarily rely on bacterial culture of the stool specimen. A limitation of this method is that only the organisms that grow can be identified, meaning anaerobic organisms and parasites that do not grow under routine culture conditions cannot be identified. This is particularly prevalent with anaerobes like Lactobacillus. Often results of 'NG' or '0+' are reported, but it obviously does not mean it is not present, just simply that it would not grow in the lab, which is also seen with many yeasts and fungi.
A further limitation comes with sensitivity and specificity. The GI-MAP™ reports organisms as <dl (less than detectable limit). This means that there are less than 100 cells per gram for the organism. It does not mean that the stool sample was necessarily void of that organism, but most bacteria need to be present in higher numbers to cause dysbiosis or disease.
In contrast, when culturing bacteria, if there is close to 100 cells per gram it could be reported as positive. This is because when streaking the agar plates, the sample is spread into 4 areas of the plate with slightly less sample in each. If there is growth into the 4th area, even of just a few cells, it is called 4+. Some samples may have 70 cells per gram grow in the 4th quadrant and get reported as 4+ and others may have 10,000 cells per gram and they would also be 4+.
Hence, collection of stool specimens for DNA analysis most closely represents the actual microbial populations of the patient’s gastrointestinal tract at the time of collection versus culture based methods. This is why it is the methodology of choice for microbiome researchers and now - via Diagnostic Laboratory - to Functional and Integrative Medicine practitioners for better patient outcomes.
"When health is absent, wisdom cannot reveal itself, art cannot manifest, strength cannot fight, wealth becomes useless, and intelligence cannot be applied."
Herophilus
Herophilus