In a healthy individual, the intestinal flora does not significantly change its composition. Any changes, mainly reducing immunity, provoke the activity of opportunistic microorganisms. As a result, the pathogenic flora begins to dominate and displaces normal bacteria. Such an imbalance leads to dysbiosis. As a result, in all parts of the intestine, digestion is impaired, immunity is reduced, and the general condition of the individual is deteriorating. The condition of the intestinal flora is determined using a laboratory test - sowing feces for dysbiosis. Preparation and conduct will be discussed in this article.
Symptoms of dysbiosis
Signs of the disease in adults:
- bloating;
- nausea;
- flatulence;
- vomiting
- loose stools;
- cramps
- dry skin
- muscle weakness.
If the above symptoms appear, it is recommended to visit a doctor. Very young people suffer from this condition . The clinical picture in children:
- diarrhea for more than two days;
- pain in the intestines and stomach;
- greenish-colored stools;
- refusal of food;
- feces with blood and mucus;
- profuse regurgitation;
- redness and dryness of the skin;
- bloating.
Indications for analysis
At the first signs of dysbiosis, regardless of the age of the individual, a laboratory study is performed. In addition, a tank. sowing feces for dysbiosis, the doctor recommends:
- Older people with unstable stools, intolerance to certain products, as well as those who feel discomfort in the abdomen after eating.
- Children, including infants, with frequent allergic manifestations, infections and dyspeptic disorders.
- Adult individuals receiving treatment for oncopathology, immunodeficiency, as well as those who have undergone a course of therapy: hormonal, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial medications.
Features of the delivery of biomaterial
Thanks to the analysis for dysbiosis, the number of pathogenic, opportunistic and normal microorganisms is detected. There are several types of studies on intestinal dysbiosis:
- Tank. sowing feces is necessary to determine the composition of microflora. For the growth of bacteria, they are placed in a favorable nutrient medium. Counting the number of microorganisms is carried out in one gram of feces.
- Coprogram. Using this type of research, the ability of an individual's body to digest food is determined, and mucus, parasites and blood are also detected.
- Fecal biochemical analysis. It helps to establish the concentration of substances (metabolites of propionic, acetic, butyric acid) produced by various microorganisms living in the digestive tract.
Analyzes can be taken at any state or municipal health care institution free of charge with a doctor’s referral or at any private clinic in which the cost of sowing feces for dysbiosis ranges from 1000 to 1500 rubles.
Study Overview
Sowing feces refers to the main diagnostic methods. It allows you to determine which group of microorganisms prevails. Previously, the biomaterial is diluted in saline, centrifuged and then seeded. As special nutrient media use broth or agar. Sowing feces for dysbiosis is performed under sterile conditions. Cups with media are placed in a thermostat, in which there are all conditions for the reproduction and growth of microorganisms. The duration of the study is from five to seven days. Further, the medical worker evaluates:
- species composition of grown bacteria;
- the number of colonies is calculated;
- upon detection of pathogenic flora, it does a test for sensitivity to antibacterial agents and bacteriophages.
Based on the information received, dysbiosis is diagnosed. One of the main tasks is the detection of pathogenic bacteria when sowing feces for dysbiosis. How many days does the analysis take? It takes time for bacteria to grow and multiply. Results are given to the individual after five or seven days. This point is the only drawback of this method for the diagnosis of dysbiosis.
Preparing for the test
Preparation for the study affects the final result, so it is undesirable to neglect the following recommendations:
- Three days before the test, follow the diet prescribed by the doctor. In agreement with the doctor, exclude the use of medications that can affect the reliability of the result.
- It is recommended to transfer the intestinal X-ray using barium to another day.
- Do not eat foods and drinks that cause fermentation in the intestines three days before analysis.
- It is forbidden to put enemas.
Stool is collected in a special container, which is a disposable sterile container. You can buy it at any pharmacy institution. However, some medical institutions issue a special kit, which includes gloves, containers with a special preservative medium, and a lid and spoon for collecting biomaterial. They collect feces in the morning with a natural act of defecation.
Algorithm for collecting biomaterial
How to take stool culture for dysbiosis? The following are the steps that an individual is recommended to perform:
- Prepare a sterile container, which, together with the biomaterial, will be sent to the laboratory.
- Empty the bladder.
- Hold the toilet of the anus.
- Perform an act of defecation in a container, for example, a vessel or a pot, which must first be doused with boiling water. The use of disinfectants for processing is prohibited.
- Using a stick glued to the lid, transfer part of the feces to a container and close tightly. The jar should be filled to one third of the total.
- Within two hours, take the biomaterial for research to the laboratory. Until this point, store it in the refrigerator. For transportation, the use of cold elements is allowed.
Sowing feces for dysbiosis: blood test
One of the important symptoms, including dysbiosis, is blood in the feces. With massive blood loss, it is visible with the naked eye, and with minor losses it is detected using a blood test. Three days before the analysis, it is necessary to abandon meat products, exclude the use of laxatives and the setting of enemas. During the study, the changed hemoglobin is determined. The deformation of the structure of its molecule occurs under the influence of bile and digestive enzymes. A positive benzidine test indicates the presence of altered hemoglobin. A false positive reaction is present if the rules for preparing for analysis are not observed.
Types of bacteria
In maintaining equilibrium, the main role is played by lacto- and bifidobacteria, as well as bacteroids, i.e., normal bacteria. They do not allow the conditionally pathogenic flora to multiply. Conditionally pathogenic flora is enterococci, Escherichia coli, yeast-like mushrooms, Proteus type bacteria, they are contained in a small amount. They actively stimulate the immune system of the individual, participate in the process of splitting food. Exceeding their excess values causes a malfunction in the digestive tract, and also provokes allergies.
Pathogens - Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella - are absent in feces in healthy individuals. These bacteria become the causes of infectious pathologies, they are found when sowing feces for dysbiosis. In order to distinguish a true disease from short-term dysbiotic reactions, feces are sown twice with an interval of seven days. Comparing the results with the clinical manifestations of the disease, the doctor determines the tactics of treatment of the individual.
The degree of microbiological disorders
When evaluating the results of the study, the correct calculation of opportunistic microorganisms is important. The following degrees of microbiological disorders are distinguished after sowing feces for dysbiosis:
- Fourth - sepsis, bacteremia.
- The third is the abundant growth of conditionally pathogenic and a deficiency of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria.
- The second is an increase in colonies of Escherichia coli or other opportunistic microorganisms.
- The first is a decrease of one or two orders of bifidobacteria, lactobacilli.
Deciphering stool for dysbiosis
Decrypts the analysis sheet containing a list of all the main microorganisms treated by the doctor. He compares the results with the norm and makes a conclusion about the functioning and condition of the digestive system of the individual, establishes an imbalance of microflora and the development of dysbiosis. About 400 different types of bacteria live in the intestines, 20 of which are of clinical importance. Let us dwell on some types of bacteria detected as a result of sowing feces for dysbiosis.
- E. coli. Normally, it should contain no more than one percent. Deviations indicate dysbiosis. This bacterium is very important for the body, as it helps to maintain the balance of the gastrointestinal microflora, preventing the reproduction of opportunistic microorganisms.
- Bifidobacteria. These bacteria account for more than ninety percent. They perform the following functions: remove toxic substances, promote the absorption of vitamins, participate in the digestion, breakdown and absorption of nutrients from food.
- Enterococci: gram-positive cocci, anaerobes, aerobes in the form of colonies live in the intestines and take an active part in the fermentation of carbohydrate substances, and also prevent pathogenic and opportunistic bacteria from multiplying. In a small amount, enterococci are necessary for the body, if there are a lot of them, then the risk of developing various diseases is high.
- Fungi of the genus Candida. In a small amount, they are found in the microflora of a healthy intestine. An increase in their number occurs after taking antibacterial drugs.
- Lactobacillus. Their presence is necessary for normal bowel function.
- Bacteria. They relate to anaerobic microorganisms that do not form spores. After birth, they gradually attack the body of the individual. Their role is not fully understood. It is known that they take part in lipid metabolism, the breakdown of bile acids and the digestion of food.
- Salmonella and shigella are pathogens. Penetrating into the intestines, they provoke the development of infectious diseases.
- Staphylococcus Epidermal belongs to opportunistic bacteria and is part of a healthy intestinal microflora. Its content should not exceed 25 percent. Golden. Its entry into the body of an individual causes serious disorders, the result of which is diarrhea, pain in the abdomen, and vomiting.
Conclusion
Intestinal dysbiosis is a serious condition, especially dangerous for the younger generation. Intestinal microflora is represented by a large number of different types of bacteria that are balanced and interconnected to perform the most important functions.
With an increase in the conditionally pathogenic and auxiliary flora, dysbiosis develops, which is confirmed by analysis. Sowing feces for dysbiosis with the determination of sensitivity to antibacterial agents is a study with which quantitative and qualitative violations of the composition of the intestinal microflora are revealed.