Routine examination Comprehensive examination by Microscopy - Stool Test

The Routine Examination Comprehensive examination by Microscopy – Stool measures any abnormalities in stool specimen like presence of mucus, occult blood, RBCs, pus cells, parasites etc.

• To diagnose any parasitic infections.
• Detect any gastrointestinal abnormalities
• In patients with severe gastric infections not responding to antibiotics
• In certain cases of suspected cancers [GI cancers, colon cancers etc.]

People with the following symptoms:

• Severe abdominal pain
• Gastric infections
• Extreme diarrhoea with or without blood
• Blood in stools (melena)
• Suspected parasitic infections.

This test requires a stool sample. Patient will be explained how to collect stool sample in a sterile container.

Clinical History required.

Based on the abnormalities in each parameter, further tests may be recommended.

If high level of pus cells and bacteria are present, it indicates a severe gastric infection.

Presence of occult blood and RBCs may indicate gastric abnormalities requiring further tests.

Presence of parasites may indicate parasitic infestation.

This is a screening test. In certain scenarios additional / alternative testing for confirmation may be required.

• Stool Test
• Stool Examination
• Parasitic infection

A stool test, or a stool culture test, is a diagnostic procedure that examines a sample of faeces in the laboratory to diagnose and monitor various gastrointestinal conditions. It involves microscopic, chemical, immunologic, and microbiologic analyses of the stool sample.

A normal stool test result typically indicates the absence of occult blood, normal levels of leukocytes and other cellular components, absence of pathogenic microorganisms, normal fat and sugar content, no signs of inflammation, and a normal macroscopic appearance.

A stool test, or a stool culture test, can detect various conditions, which include gastrointestinal infections (bacterial, viral, parasitic), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), malabsorption syndromes, bowel cancer or precancerous polyps, Clostridium difficile infection, pancreatic insufficiency, biliary obstructions, and various other gastrointestinal disorders.

Stool tests include various types, such as the Faecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT), Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT), Stool DNA Test, Faecal Culture, Faecal Calprotectin Test, and Faecal Elastase and Fat Tests.

Stool tests or stool culture test reports indicate the presence or absence of various parameters such as blood, inflammatory markers (e.g., calprotectin), pathogenic microorganisms, abnormal fat or sugar content, and other abnormalities that could suggest gastrointestinal disorders. These reports help diagnose and monitor conditions like infections, IBD, malabsorption, and cancer.

A positive stool test result may indicate the presence of a condition that needs further investigation. Depending on the findings, additional tests like colonoscopy, antibiotic treatment, IBD management, or dietary changes may be recommended.

A stool test offers several benefits, including early detection of gastrointestinal infections and diseases, non-invasive screening for bowel cancer and polyps, monitoring of inflammatory bowel disease, diagnosis and management of malabsorption syndromes, identification of pancreatic insufficiency, and a simple and relatively painless procedure.

Typically, fasting is not required before a stool test. However, it is essential to follow any specific instructions provided by your healthcare provider or diagnostic center

Yes, Metropolis Healthcare provides home sample collection service for stool test. A trained phlebotomist will visit your home to collect the stool sample, ensuring both your comfort and convenience while maintaining the accuracy of your stool culture test results.

A stool culture test can diagnose various bacterial infections in the gastrointestinal tract, such as Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, Escherichia coli (E. coli), and Clostridium difficile. It helps identify the specific bacteria causing the infection and guides appropriate antibiotic treatment

Stool test results are usually available after 48 hours, although this may vary depending on the healthcare provider and the time/day when the sample was collected and processed.