Infections of the GI Tract

Gastrointestinal (GI) tract infections are common and can be either clinical (symptomatic) or sub-clinical (without symptoms). In fact, BioHealth's top practitioners report that eight out of ten patients who seek care have one or more GI infections. Some have active GI symptoms, others present with general complaints: fatigue, body pain, headaches, cognitive problems, light headedness, brain fog and/or general malaise. Currently the two most prevalent infections are Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium that primarily inhabits the stomach, esophagus and upper duodenum, and Cryptosporidium parvum, a parasite that primarily inhabits the small intestine and regularly cycles from intracellular to extracellular.

Helicobacter pylori infections are very prevalent and are often the cause of stomach ulcers, acid reflux, burping and belching and general upper GI distress as well as stomach cancer. While acute infections are often highly symptomatic, the body has amazing capability to adapt to infections that become long term, chronic in nature, and patients often have either very mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. Infections with Helicobacter pylori, especially deep seated ones, are often difficult to eradicate as it can develop resistance to commonly used antibiotics. It has also been reported that Helicobacter pylori can produce a toxin with the ability to disable the body's immune response against it.

Cryptosporidium parvum is a very prevalent and aggressive parasite (protozoa) that damages the topography of the small intestine by invading the intestinal epithelial cells. While in some acute cases it can cause high fever, severe diarrhea and even death, Cryptosporidium parvum infections have been found in many patients exhibiting either very mild or no GI symptoms. Cryptosporidium parvum damages the microvilli of the small intestine, inhibiting absorption and assimilation of nutrients and compromising intestinal mucosal barrier defenses, further weakening the body's defense against other opportunistic infectious agents.

Other commonly encountered parasite infections include Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia, Blastocystis hominis and Ascaris (round worm).

Even more ominous than having a primary GI infection is the tendency of invading microorganisms to metamorphosize into various stages of their life cycle, and to migrate to tissues and organs sometimes distant from the GI tract. For example Cryptosporidium parvum can sometimes be found in the lungs and conjunctiva of the eyes and Helicobacter pylori has been located in the oral cavity and even the prostate gland. Such stages, including cysts, can remain dormant within tissues, and can be extremely difficult to detect. That is why it is extremely important to test for GI infections using both microbiology and immunological assays.

BioHealth recommends the following tests to rule in or out GI infections as a primary source of chronic stress in your patients:

1. BHD #401 GI Pathogen Screen - Stool Ova & Parasite Microscopic Examination including trichrome stain; Antigen Tests for Giardia lamblia, Cryptosporidium parvum and Entamoeba histolytica; Stool bacteria, fungi, yeasts, occult blood; Colostridium difficle: Colitis toxins A & B.
2. BHD #418 Helicobacter pylori Stool Antigen - Stool test for Helicobacter pylori Antigen.
3. BHD #397 Parasite Antibodies Profile II - Serum IgG & IgM to Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytica.
4. BHD #398 Parasite Antibodies Profile III - Serum IgG & IgM to Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica & Toxoplasma gondii.
5. BHD #383 Helicobacter pylori Antibodies Profile - Serum IgG, IgM & IgA to Helicobacter pylori.