Human Stool Parasite Screen

18S Amplicon Sequencing for Gut Eukaryotic Pathogen Detection

The PathOID.ai Human Stool Parasite Screen uses 18S ribosomal RNA amplicon sequencing to identify eukaryotic parasites and fungi present in your gastrointestinal tract. Sequencing reads are classified against a curated reference database of nearly 500,000 18S rRNA sequences spanning 33 eukaryotic phyla, developed specifically for eukaryotic pathogen detection.

Why standard testing misses so much: Conventional stool ova and parasite (O&P) microscopy relies on a trained technician visually identifying eggs, cysts, or larvae in a small stool sample. This approach is limited by sample volume, technician experience, organism lifecycle stage, and the simple fact that many parasites shed intermittently. Studies estimate that standard O&P testing misses a significant proportion of active intestinal parasite infections. 18S sequencing detects organism DNA directly, identifying eukaryotic organisms regardless of whether intact eggs or larvae are present.

Common symptoms associated with undiagnosed intestinal parasites: Chronic fatigue, bloating and gas, intermittent diarrhea or constipation, abdominal cramping, brain fog, skin issues, and unexplained weight changes. Many infections remain entirely asymptomatic for years.

Organisms targeted include: Giardia species, Cryptosporidium species, Blastocystis subtypes, Entamoeba histolytica, Dientamoeba fragilis, hookworm (Ancylostomatidae), Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura (whipworm), Strongyloides stercoralis, pinworm (Enterobius vermicularis), tapeworms (Platyhelminthes), Schistosoma species, pathogenic fungi including Candida and Aspergillus species, and hundreds of additional eukaryotic organisms across 33 phyla.

Accepted Sample Type: Human stool (home collection kit included)

⚠️ This is not a diagnostic test. The PathOID.ai Human Stool Parasite Screen is an educational and research tool only. Results do not constitute a medical diagnosis and are not a substitute for professional medical evaluation. If you have concerns about parasitic infection or gastrointestinal health, consult a licensed physician or infectious disease specialist.