What can the Gut Bacteria, Worm and Parasite Test tell me?

This easy test checks for the presence of 6 gut parasitic and bacterial infections - Cryptosporidia, Giardia, Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter and toxic E. coli (VTEC) - all from a single stool sample. We also use stool microscopy for ova, cysts and parasites (OCP) to check for all manner of other parasitic infections including roundworms, tapeworms and flatforms. A positive result may indicate that any gut symptoms are caused by an infection that can be treated. A negative result would mean that an infection with one of these bugs or a worm is unlikely.

Is this a gut microbiome test?

Your gut microbiome is the entire collection of bacteria and viruses (amongst others) living in your gut. Our Gut Bacteria, Worm and Parasite Test is not a microbiome test. It is designed as a bacteria, worm and parasite test for people who are concerned they have a gut infection. In contrast, a microbiome test cannot tell you if you have a gut infection needing treatment and is actually only used for research purposes.

What should I do to prepare for the parasite test?

You don't need to make any special preparation for the Gut Bacteria, Worm and Parasite Test. Specifically, you do not need to change your diet or stop any medication, supplement or probiotic.

Is the Gut Bacteria, Worm and Parasite Test suitable for use with children?

The Gut Bacteria, Worm and Parasite Test can be used in children if sample collection and all testing procedures are undertaken by a responsible adult. However, it's worth noting that pinworm infections are by far the commonest worm infection in children and it is not necessary to test for them. In fact, this test will often not pick up threadworm infection because the worms live in the anus rather than higher up the bowel.

Gut Bacteria, Worm and Parasite Test

Take our Gut Bacteria, Worm and Parasite Test if you're concerned that you may have a bowel infection with a bacterium, worm or other parasite.

Take your stool sample at home and send it to our NHS-testing lab to check for common bacteria, Giardia and Cryptosporidium as well as roundworms, flatworms, tapeworms and other parasites.

Results and doctor's report in 6 days or less
Free, next-working day delivery
Includes stool microscopy for ova, cysts and parasites

£99.00

Gut Bacteria, Worm and Parasite Test Box

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Dr Alasdair Scott

gut doctor, PhD and our Science Director

What you need to know about our Gut Bacteria, Worm and Parasite Test

Dr Alasdair Scott

gut doctor, PhD and our Science Director

Gut infections are a common cause of bowel symptoms such as diarrhoea, stomach pain, bloating and nausea.

Our Gut Bacteria, Worm and Parasite Test checks for common and important gut infections caused by bacteria, parasites and worms. We use highly sensitive DNA-based PCR to test for bacteria and the parasites Giardia and Cryptosporidium. We also use stool microscopy for ova cysts and parasites (OCP), the gold-standard worm and parasite test used to pick up all manner of roundworms, flatworms and tapeworms.

Who gets gut bacteria, parasite or worm infections?

Most gut infections are caused by coming into contact with contaminated food or water. This can include drinking water or recreational water - e.g. swimming in pools, rivers and lakes.

You’re more likely to pick up a parasitic or bacterial gut infection while travelling abroad or if someone you spend time with has also been unwell. A lot of the time, gut infections are over in a few days, but symptoms can last longer with gut parasites. If this is the case for you, it can be worth taking a test to see what’s going on.

How do I know if I have an infection with a gut parasite or worm?

Symptoms and signs of a worm or parasite infection will vary depending on the bug involved.

You might experience non-specific symptoms such as:

Tiredness and fatigue
Weight loss
Rashes

You might notice gut-specific symptoms including:

Stomach pain
Bloating
Nausea
Diarrhoea
Bleeding from the bottom

In some cases you can have no symptoms at all.

If I have a worm infection will I see them in my stool?

By far the most common worm infection in the UK is pinworms or threadworms. Nearly 50% of children will pick up threadworms at some point. Threadworms really live in the anus rather than bowel per se. They're small "thread-like" worms up to 10mm or so in length and you can often see them in your stool. The main symptom of threadworm infection is itching of the bottom, particularly at night.

If you suspect threadworm infection because of symptoms or you've seen threadworms in your stool, you don't generally need to test for it. You simply take the treatment mebendazole which is available from your pharmacy.

Infections with roundworms, flatworms and tapeworms are actually very rare in the UK. They nearly all occur in people who have been exposed abroad in coutries where these infections are more common. In cases of roundworm or flatworm infection you may well see worms, worm segments or eggs in your stool.

Limitations of the gut parasite test

It's important to be aware that a stool test is not the best way to pick up pinworms (threadworms). These are tiny, common but harmless thread-like worms that you can sometimes see in stool. If you can see these worms, the recommendation is usually just to treat them with the over-the-counter medication "Ovex" rather than take a test.

It is very common for people to mistake vegetable matter or threads of mucus in the stool for a worm. Seeing what you think may be a worm in your stool doesn't guarantee that evidence of a worm (eggs for example) will be seen when the sample is examined under a microscope.

Even when you do have a worm or other parasite infection, there is no guarantee that eggs will be present in the sample that's analysed. It's often recommended to examine up to three separate samples under a microscope to rule out some worm infections.

What's tested in your Gut Bacteria, Worm and Parasite Test?

Bacteria
Bacterial gut infections are often 'short-and-sharp' with violent symptoms that are over in a few days. However, sometimes symptoms can linger and it's worth testing for the commonest bacteria that cause gut infections. We use PCR to test for Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter and toxic E. coli (VTEC).
WHAT'S MEASURED?
- Salmonella is common bacterial infection from contaminated food.
- Shigella is spread by contaminated food or water and sometimes sexual contact.
- Campylobacter is one of the commonest bacterial gut infections.
- E. coli is a common bacteria that all of us have in our gut but some strains can produce a toxin causing gastroenteritis.
Worms
Worms come in a few shapes and sizes. We examine the stool directly and look at it under a microscope to pick up microscopic parasites and any worm eggs. We can see evidence of roundworms, flatworms (flukes) and tapeworms. Sometimes we can also detect threadworms (pinworms) but in general the best way to pick up threadworms is with a swab from the bottom.
WHAT'S MEASURED?
- Analysis of stool under a microscope to look for worms, parasites and their eggs.
Parasites
Two of the commonest parasites that cause chronic gut symptoms are Cryptosporidia and Giardia. We use PCR testing to pick these up.
WHAT'S MEASURED?
- Giardia is often spread by contaminated water - lakes, rivers or pools. It can cause chronic gut issues with bloating, cramps and diarrhoea.
- Cryptosporidium is one of the commonest parasite infections in the UK. It's often spread via contaminated 'recreational water' such as swimming pools.

Learn more about the Gut Bacteria, Worm and Parasite Test

: This easy test checks for the presence of 6 gut parasitic and bacterial infections - Cryptosporidia, Giardia, Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter and toxic E. coli (VTEC) - all from a single stool sample.

We also use stool microscopy for ova, cysts and parasites (OCP) to check for all manner of other parasitic infections including roundworms, tapeworms and flatforms.

A positive result may indicate that any gut symptoms are caused by an infection that can be treated. A negative result would mean that an infection with one of these bugs or a worm is unlikely.
: Your gut microbiome is the entire collection of bacteria and viruses (amongst others) living in your gut. Our Gut Bacteria, Worm and Parasite Test is not a microbiome test. It is designed as a bacteria, worm and parasite test for people who are concerned they have a gut infection.

In contrast, a microbiome test cannot tell you if you have a gut infection needing treatment and is actually only used for research purposes.
: You don't need to make any special preparation for the Gut Bacteria, Worm and Parasite Test. Specifically, you do not need to change your diet or stop any medication, supplement or probiotic.
: The Gut Bacteria, Worm and Parasite Test can be used in children if sample collection and all testing procedures are undertaken by a responsible adult.

However, it's worth noting that pinworm infections are by far the commonest worm infection in children and it is not necessary to test for them. In fact, this test will often not pick up threadworm infection because the worms live in the anus rather than higher up the bowel.