GI Microbial Assay Plus (GI-MAP) Test
The ground-breaking test targeting vital markers for gastrointestinal health
GI-MAP SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Gastrointestinal health is our cornerstone and the core of designing a wellness pathway for your patients.
That’s why Designs for Health focus is to develop science-based GI gut health mapping tools, leading-edge products, education and product protocols for healthcare practitioners and their patients.
Optimal Health Starts with the Science of GI-MAP™
Quantitative PCR assay for GI pathogens
The GI-MAP™ (GI-Microbial Assay Plus) test is the first comprehensive stool analysis to include an FDA-approved DNA/PCR assay for GI pathogens performed on stool*. The pathogen targets include bacteria, parasites, and another first for the market – viruses. Using the same molecular technology, for microbe assays that are useful for integrative and functional medicine practitioners. And unlike previous PCR (polymerase chain reaction) assays, we have fully validated each target organism in our panel, so that you can have confidence in the results. GI-MAP™ tests for GI pathogens, opportunistic organisms, normal flora, and markers of GI health including:
- Bacteria
- Viruses
- Parasites
- Fungi
- Inflammation
- Immune function
- Pancreatic function
- Occult blood
DNA/PCR techniques also allow for the measurement of antibiotic resistance genes and virulence factors that contribute to pathogenicity. Both are used to help determine clinical significance and the most effective treatments.
GI-MAP™ – The Superior Solution
Other available stool tests may appear to be DNA-based, but they are in fact only using matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) to identify stool microbes. Their methodology relies on cultures from stool and is not molecular/PCR based assays. With a culture-based test it is not possible to measure strict anaerobes, viruses or virulence factors. They also lack the ability to deliver true quantitation of any of the reported organisms.
In addition, other recent test offerings using an FDA-cleared molecular technology only for pathogens do not extend any molecular methodology over an entire comprehensive stool analysis to include opportunistic and beneficial organisms, including bacteria, protozoa, and fungi, all of which are provided through the GI-MAP™.
There have been many advances in DNA technology over the last 10 years, including an FDA approved, PCR based technology and assay that is used by major hospital labs. Considering these advances, why would you still rely on culture and microscopy for stool analysis and assessment of the GI environment?
Practitioner Support and Health Benefits for Patients
The GI-MAP takes the guesswork out of many aspects of diagnosis so that the practitioner can formulate an effective treatment plan for clients.
The test is used to determine if there are certain pathogenic organisms within the body that might cause illnesses like autoimmune problems, arthritis, and most chronic conditions that can be impacted by the gut bacteria.