The following tests are all performed using the usual long-established methods and can be performed from the same sample if requested.

Fecal fat measures the amount of fat within a stool sample. Excess fat, known as steatorrhea, can be tested for this, ultimately aiding in the determination of malabsorption and/or digestive disease. We test for both the presence of neutral fats and split fats in the stool. Neutral fats (e.g., monoglycerides, diglycerides, triglycerides) seen in excess are suggestive of steatorrhea, impaired synthesis, or secretion of pancreatic enzymes or bile.

An increase in split fats is suggestive of impaired absorption of nutrients. These neutral/split fats should be rare in normal stool samples. In order to test the stool sample, we stain the stool with Sudan III for Fecal fat testing. Both fecal fat preparations result in a semi-quantitative manner ranging from 0-3+ depending on microscopic criteria. Both tests are examined microscopically under 400x for evaluation.

Ova & Parasite stool test is a microscopic exam to help diagnose the appearance of eggs, trophozoites, and/or helminths found within the stool. Parasitic infections often occur in the lower digestive tract, which may cause diarrhea. This test is performed on a stool sample with fresh stool for wet mount and Proto-fix preserved sample for concentrated Trichrome (permanent) stain.

This test is microscopically evaluated under an oil immersion field by experienced technologists. Ova & parasites are reported if identified as NEGATIVE or POSITIVE; however, life cycles may prevent a diagnosis and have a higher yield of identification in molecular studies, such as in our Diarrhea Pathogen Panel.

White Blood Cell stool testing or Fecal Leukocyte test helps diagnose inflammatory diarrhea. This type of diarrhea may be an indication of an infection by bacteria, the result of ulcerative colitis, or inflammatory bowel disease. This test is performed on a stool sample with a microscopic evaluation using Trichrome stain. Fecal Leukocytes are rarely seen in diarrhea caused by other parasites or viruses.

When leukocytes are seen in moderation with regular fecal background material, it may indicate infection or other inflammatory processes. An increase in Fecal Leukocytes is a response to infection with microorganisms that may invade tissue or produce toxins, which cause tissue damage. This could also be suggestive of shigellosis and salmonellosis (erythrocytes), and sometimes amebiasis.

This test is used for the detection of human hemoglobin.