Analysis of feces for dysbiosis: what shows how to take it right, norm and pathology
The content of the article:
- When an analysis of feces for dysbiosis is indicated
- Preparation for the analysis of feces for dysbiosis
- Normal intestinal microflora and its functions in the body
- Analysis of feces for dysbiosis
- Normal indicators
- Decoding the analysis: dysbiosis, its stages and types
- Dysbiosis reasons
- Dysbiosis treatment
The analysis of feces for dysbiosis is usually prescribed as part of the diagnosis of intestinal pathology.
Dysbiosis (dysbiosis) of the intestine is a syndrome characterized by a change in the microbial composition of the colon. Laboratory diagnosis of dysbiosis begins with a bacteriological analysis of feces. As a rule, the attending physician, writing out a referral for research, tells not only about where to get tested, but also about how to properly prepare. Compliance with the rules of preparation and collection technique largely affects the reliability of the result of the study of intestinal microflora.
When an analysis of feces for dysbiosis is indicated
Suspicion of an imbalance in the microbial flora can cause signs of illness that appear for a long time and are not explained by other reasons.
Dysbacteriosis means a change in the microbial composition of the colon
Common symptoms:
- decreased appetite;
- general malaise;
- headaches;
- decreased immunity;
- allergy;
- violation of normal weight gain in children.
Local symptoms:
- stool disorders, painful sensations during bowel movements;
- flatulence, bloating, rumbling;
- cramping abdominal pain;
- nausea, belching, unpleasant taste in the mouth.
Stool disorders are determined by the localization of dysbiotic changes: enteral diarrhea is a sign of dysbiosis in the small intestine. Due to impaired absorption of nutrients, the volume of feces is increased, the feces are offensive, frothy. Colitis-type stool disorder indicates dysbiosis with localization in the large intestine. The volume of bowel movements in this case is often scanty, with an admixture of mucus, streaks of blood.
Impaired absorption of essential nutrients in the intestine for a long time can cause hypovitaminosis, protein-energy malnutrition, ionic balance disorders, calcium deficiency and has the following manifestations:
- mood swings, irritability, decreased cognitive ability;
- dryness and pallor of the skin and mucous membranes;
- itchy skin;
- dull and brittle hair, flaking nails;
- decreased bone mineralization;
- angular stomatitis.
Preparation for the analysis of feces for dysbiosis
A week before the study, antibiotics and other drugs that affect the microbial flora, as well as fecal parameters, are canceled. The stool intended for the test should be formed naturally, and you should not use an enema, laxatives or rectal suppositories.
It is forbidden to collect material for research earlier than two days after the X-ray contrast study of the digestive tract. On the eve of taking a stool test for dysbiosis, it is necessary to exclude from the diet foods that contribute to the staining of feces, excessive gas formation, diarrhea or constipation.
The material for analysis should not get urine or vaginal secretions, therefore, before collecting feces, empty the bladder, then wash with water and soap without foaming additives or fragrances.
In advance, you need to take care of the container from which the feces will be collected. It can be a dry and clean vessel, if not, you can fix a plastic wrap on the surface of the toilet. Immediately after defecation, feces from different areas must be collected in a sterile plastic container using a special spatula built into the lid. To analyze for dysbiosis, you will need about 10 ml of biomaterial. Feces are delivered to the laboratory within three hours from the date of collection of the analysis. It is allowed to store the material in a refrigerator at a temperature from +3 to +7 ° C for six hours; with longer storage, the reliability of the results is considered reduced.
Feces for research on dysbiosis are collected in a special disposable sterile container
During the analysis of feces for dysbiosis, the concentration and ratio of normal, opportunistic and pathogenic microorganisms are determined.
Normal intestinal microflora and its functions in the body
Microbial flora is essential for the life of the body. The intestines of a healthy person normally contain 400-500 strains of various microorganisms. They ensure normal digestion, participate in the synthesis and absorption of vitamins, and suppress the activity of pathogenic microbes.
Normal intestinal microflora performs the following functions:
- participation in the development of local immunity, the implementation of the synthesis of antibodies that suppress extraneous microflora;
- increasing the acidity of the environment (lowering the pH level);
- protection (cytoprotection) of the epithelium, increasing its resistance to carcinogenic and pathogenic factors;
- capture of viruses, prevention of colonization of the body by foreign microorganisms;
- enzymes of bacteria break down food substances, thus forming various compounds (amines, phenols, organic acids and others). Under the influence of enzymes, the transformation of bile acids also occurs;
- participation in the final decomposition of undigested food residues;
- providing the body with nutrients, the synthesis of low molecular weight fatty acids, which are a source of energy for intestinal cells;
- formation of gas composition, regulation of peristalsis, enhancement of absorption processes in the intestine;
- synthesis of B vitamins, nicotinic, folic and pantothenic acids, vitamin K, ensuring the absorption of calcium, magnesium, iron;
- participation in the mechanisms of regulation of reparative processes during the renewal of intestinal epithelial cells;
- synthesis of a number of amino acids and proteins, metabolism of fats, proteins, carbons, bile and fatty acids, cholesterol;
- utilization of excess food, the formation of feces.
In a healthy person, a dynamic balance is maintained in the intestine between the host organism, the microorganisms that populate it, and the environment. Violation of the qualitative and quantitative composition of microflora causes dysbiosis.
Analysis of feces for dysbiosis
In order to qualitatively and quantitatively determine pathogenic forms of microorganisms in 1 g of feces, a tank analysis is used - sowing of feces on nutrient media. Bacteriological inoculation is used to diagnose intestinal infections and bacterial carriers. The material for bacterial inoculation is placed in a sterile container with a preservative, then a pure culture of the microorganism is isolated, its properties are studied and the number of colony-forming units (CFU) is counted.
How much is the analysis of feces for dysbiosis done? As a rule, the waiting time for the result is from two days to a week. Sometimes an express method for diagnosing dysbiosis is used, the results of which can be obtained within an hour, however, with such a test, the content of only bifidobacteria and its own protein in the feces is assessed.
Deciphering the analysis of feces for dysbiosis is carried out by the attending physician, taking into account the history and clinical manifestations of the disease.
Normal indicators
The norms of bacteria content in 1 g of feces are presented in the table.
| Microorganisms | Norm, CFU |
| Bifidobacteria | 108-1010 |
| Lactobacillus | 106-108 |
| Esherichia | 106-108 |
| Bacteroids | 107-108 |
| Peptostreptococci | 105-106 |
| Enterococci | 105-108 |
| Saprophytic staphylococci | ≤104 |
| Pathogenic staphylococci | Absent |
| Clostridia | ≤105 CFU |
| Candida | ≤104 |
| Pathogenic enterobacteria | Absent |
Norms for newborns differ significantly, since the children's intestines are not yet fully populated with microorganisms. With the transition to artificial feeding, many parents are faced with the problem of dysbiosis in children, since in infants the balance of microorganisms often helps to maintain the mother's microflora.
Decoding the analysis: dysbiosis, its stages and types
Intestinal dysbiosis is divided into several phases depending on changes in the intestinal microflora and the severity of the clinical picture:
- Latent phase (compensated dysbacteriosis) - the predominance of anaerobic microorganisms, the number of apathogenic microbes is slightly reduced, conditionally pathogenic flora begins to multiply. There are no clinical manifestations, violations are detected in a laboratory study of feces for another reason.
- The starting phase (subcompensated dysbiosis) - the number of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli decreases, the normal flora is suppressed with the development of opportunistic microorganisms. Clinical manifestations are moderate and are corrected by the basic treatment regimen.
- Aggressive microbial association (widespread dysbiosis) - the predominance of aerobic microflora, E. coli undergo structural and functional changes. Hemolytic cocci, proteus and other pathogenic flora appear. Pronounced clinical picture of digestive disorders, the appearance of an inflammatory process in the intestine.
- Associated dysbiosis (decompensated dysbacteriosis) - there are no bifidobacteria in the intestinal microflora, the number of lactobacilli is significantly reduced, E. coli is practically not detected. Replacement of normal microflora with pathogenic strains of microorganisms is accompanied by pronounced local symptoms, severe general disorder with the development of intoxication or sepsis, foci of inflammatory processes are located in different internal organs.
By the type of pathogen, intestinal dysbiosis is divided into the following groups:
- staphylococcal;
- bacteroid;
- candidomycosis (fungi from the genus Candida);
- protean;
- clostridial;
- klebsiella;
- associated (protein-enterococcal, etc.).
Dysbiosis reasons
Analysis of feces for dysbiosis can only reveal its presence; additional examination is necessary to determine the causes. Usually, dysbiosis is a consequence or complication of bowel disease pathology or irrational antibiotic therapy. In addition, the composition of the microflora in the intestine can change under the influence of the following factors:
- endocrine disorders, especially diabetes mellitus;
- immune disorders;
- irrational use of antimicrobial agents, steroid hormones;
- radiation therapy;
- helminthiasis;
- nervous disorders, stress;
- alcohol abuse.
One of the common causes of dysbiosis is the irrational use of drugs.
Dysbiosis treatment
Treatment of intestinal dysbiosis in adults is aimed at eliminating the root cause of the disorder, relieving acute symptoms of the disease, normalizing the microflora of the colon and eliminating excessive bacterial contamination of the small intestine, improving intestinal digestion and absorption, strengthening the protective functions of beneficial bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, restoring disturbed intestinal motility.
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Anna Kozlova Medical journalist About the author
Education: Rostov State Medical University, specialty "General Medicine".
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