Stool culture
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Overview
A stool test is one where fecal matter is collected for analysis to diagnose the presence or absence of a medical condition.
Fecal occult blood test
One of the most common stool tests, the Fecal occult blood test can be used to diagnose many conditions that cause in bleeding in the gastrointestinal system including Colorectal cancer or Stomach cancer.[1]
Microbiology tests
Parasitic diseases such as Ascariasis, Hookworm, Strongyloidiasis and Whipworm can be diagnosed by examining stools under a microscope for the presence of worm larvae or eggs. Some bacterial diseases can be detected with a stool culture. Toxins from bacteria such as Clostridium difficile ('C. diff.') can also be identified. Viruses such as rotavirus can also be found in stools.[1]
Chemical tests
A fecal pH test may be used determine lactose intolerance or the presence of an infection.[1] Steatorrhea can be diagnosed using a Fecal fat test that checks for the malabsorption of fat.[1]
See also
References
Acknowledgement and Attribution Regarding Sources of Content
Some of the initial content on this page may be incorporated in part from copyleft sources in the public domain including wikis such as Wikipedia and AskDrWiki. Drug information for patients came from the The National Library of Medicine. Infectious disease information may have come from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Differential Diagnoses are drawn from clinicians as well as an amalgamation of 3 sources: 1.The Disease Database; 2. Kahan, Scott, Smith, Ellen G. In A Page: Signs and Symptoms. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishing, 2004:3; 3. Sailer, Christian, Wasner, Susanne. Differential Diagnosis Pocket. Hermosa Beach, CA: Borm Bruckmeir Publishing LLC, 2002:7 .
