Gastrointestinal Health

Gut-Brain Connection

Mapping microbiome, pathogen,
and inflammatory stool patterns
that may help contextualize complex
gastrointestinal presentations.

Chronic GI symptoms are frequently driven by a combination of microbial imbalance, undetected pathogens, impaired barrier function, and inflammatory activity that a single testing methodology may not fully capture [1,2,4].

The GI360™ Profile is a comprehensive, multi-methodology stool panel combining PCR-based microbiome and pathogen detection, parasitology, culture with MALDI-TOF identification and susceptibility testing, and stool chemistries[1–8].

Explore the GI360 Profile

When to Consider the GI360 Profile

What the GI360 Profile Measures

Clinical Applications & Evidence Context

How the GI360 Profile Supports Clinical Reasoning

How to Order the GI360 Profile

References

When Might Providers Consider the GI360™ Profile

Neurologic & Mental Health – Gut-Brain Connection1

Irritable Bowel Syndrome & Overlapping SIBO-Type PresentationsIBS symptomatology, particularly with bloating, gas, or brain fog, where dysbiosis or bacterial overgrowth patterns may be contributing.[1,2,4]

Suspected Fungal or Yeast Overgrowth:GI complaints alongside signs suggestive of Candida or other fungal overgrowth, where culture-based identification and susceptibility data may guide intervention selection.[7]

Suspected Infectious or Post-Infectious GI Symptoms:New-onset or persistent GI symptoms following possible pathogen exposure, where viral, bacterial, or parasitic contributors are not routinely tested.[3]

GI Symptoms with Overlapping Systemic Features:GI complaints co-occurring with skin conditions (eczema, psoriasis), joint pain, mood changes, or metabolic concerns, suggestive of a gut-driven systemic contributor.[6]

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn’s & Ulcerative Colitis):  
Known or suspected IBD where microbiome, dysbiosis, and stool chemistry markers may provide adjunctive context alongside conventional monitoring.[4,5,6]

Chronic Bowel Pattern Changes:Persistent diarrhea, constipation, abdominal distension, or mixed bowel habits without a clear structural cause.[1,2]

Analyte ClassEveryday Exposure SourcesGI Relevance
Microbiome Abundance & Diversity (PCR, 45 Analytes)Quantitative PCR assessment of key commensal and dysbiosis-associated bacterial populations, summarized into a Dysbiosis Index and a Diversity Score (Shannon’s diversity index, scaled 1–5).May help identify dysbiotic patterns and reduced microbial diversity that have been associated with IBS and IBD symptom presentations[1,2,4].
Pathogenic Bacteria, Viruses & Parasites (Multiplex PCR)Targeted molecular detection of common gastrointestinal pathogens, including diarrheagenic viruses and bacteria, not routinely captured by standard stool culture.May help identify infectious or post-infectious contributors in patients with acute or persistent GI symptom onset. [3,10]
Comprehensive Parasitology (Microscopy, O&P)Direct microscopic examination for ova and parasites across a pooled multi-day stool collection.May detect parasitic organisms outside the scope of the PCR pathogen panel, supporting a more complete infectious workup.
Bacterial & Yeast Culture with MALDI-TOF ID and SusceptibilityGrowth-based culture and proteomic (MALDI-TOF) identification of cultivable bacteria and yeast, paired with standardized susceptibility testing against prescriptive and natural/botanical agents.Rapid, accurate isolate identification by MALDI-TOF paired with standardized susceptibility testing may offer actionable, isolate-specific data to help guide individualized antimicrobial or botanical intervention selection. [8]
Stool Chemistries (Digestive, Inflammatory & Immune Markers)Biochemical markers that may include indicators of intestinal inflammation, pancreatic exocrine function, and mucosal immune activity.May provide additional context for barrier integrity and inflammatory activity alongside microbiome and pathogen findings[5,6].

ConditionClinical Encapsulation
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)IBS has been associated with alterations in gut microbiota composition, reduced microbial diversity, and overlapping SIBO-type presentations; GI360’s Dysbiosis Index and Diversity Score may help contextualize these patterns alongside symptom presentation[1,2,4].
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn’s Disease & Ulcerative Colitis)IBD has been consistently associated with reduced microbial diversity and compositional dysbiosis, though a direct causal relationship has not been established in humans; GI360 microbiome and stool chemistry markers may help contextualize disease activity alongside conventional monitoring[4,6].
Functional Dyspepsia & Overlapping Upper-GI SymptomsFunctional dyspepsia has been associated with duodenal and broader GI microbiota alterations; GI360 findings may provide additional metabolic and microbial context in complex upper GI presentations.[9]
Post-Infectious & Acute GastroenteritisViral pathogens are a well-documented contributor to acute diarrheal illness and are not always included in standard stool workups; GI360’s multiplex PCR pathogen panel may help identify infectious triggers relevant to post-infectious GI symptom patterns.[3,10]
Candida & Fungal GI DysbiosisIntestinal fungal overgrowth, including Candida species, has been associated with persistent GI symptoms, particularly in patients who do not respond to conventional bacterial-overgrowth-focused therapy; GI360’s culture-based yeast identification and susceptibility testing may offer direct, isolate-specific context, though stool-based methods primarily reflect colonic rather than small-intestinal fungal populations.[7]
Mucosal Barrier Dysfunction & Systemic Overlap (Eczema, Psoriasis, Joint/Mood Symptoms)Intestinal barrier and dysbiosis patterns have been associated with systemic immune and inflammatory conditions beyond the GI tract; GI360 findings may help identify a gut-driven contributor in patients with overlapping dermatologic, joint, or mood-related complaints[6].

Multi-Methodology Cross-Validation

Pairs PCR, culture, microscopy, and stool chemistry to offset each method’s individual limitations.[8]

Quantitative Dysbiosis Tracking

The Dysbiosis Index and Diversity Score offer a standardized way to monitor microbiome status over time.[4]

Actionable Susceptibility Data

Direct susceptibility testing of cultured isolates may support individualized antimicrobial or botanical selection.

How to Order

Neurologic & Mental Health – Gut-Brain Connection1

To order the GI360™ Profile, register for a portal account. Specimen collection kits and requisition forms are available through your account portal. For clinical support or interpretation questions, contact our clinical education team.

Order the GI360 Profile

Explore Other Gastrointestinal Health Lenses:

Exposure-Oriented
Connection
Metabolic
Connection
Gut-Brain
Connection
Food-Related
Connection
Download | Printable PDF

This webpage is intended for licensed healthcare professionals and is for informational and educational purposes only. The test results are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. All clinical interpretation should be done by a qualified healthcare professional in the context of the individual patient. Statements regarding associations between health symptoms and conditions do not constitute diagnostic claims.

References

  1. Rao SSC, Rehman A, Yu S, Andino NM. Brain fogginess, gas and bloating: a link between SIBO, probiotics and metabolic acidosis. Clin Transl Gastroenterol. 2018;9(6):162. Published 2018 Jun 19. doi:10.1038/s41424-018-0030-7
  2. Shaikh SD, Sun N, Canakis A, Park WY, Weber HC. Irritable Bowel Syndrome and the Gut Microbiome: A Comprehensive Review. J Clin Med. 2023;12(7):2558. Published 2023 Mar 28. doi:10.3390/jcm12072558.
  3. Napolitano M, Fasulo E, Ungaro F, et al. Gut Dysbiosis in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Narrative Review on Correlation with Disease Subtypes and Novel Therapeutic Implications. Microorganisms. 2023;11(10):2369. Published 2023 Sep 22. doi:10.3390/microorganisms11102369
  4. Ni J, Wu GD, Albenberg L, Tomov VT. Gut microbiota and IBD: causation or correlation?. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2017;14(10):573-584. doi:10.1038/nrgastro.2017.88
  5. Konikoff MR, Denson LA. Role of fecal calprotectin as a biomarker of intestinal inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2006;12(6):524-534. doi:10.1097/00054725-200606000-00013
  6. Michielan A, D’Incà R. Intestinal Permeability in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Pathogenesis, Clinical Evaluation, and Therapy of Leaky Gut. Mediators Inflamm. 2015;2015:628157. doi:10.1155/2015/628157
  7. Im J, Lee K, Lee SH, Jung S, Kim KN, Lee J. Clinical Significance of Intestinal Fungal Overgrowth: Integrating the Gut Mycobiome into Modern Gastroenterology. Microorganisms. 2026;14(6):1365. doi:10.3390/microorganisms14061365
  8. Tsuchida S, Nakayama T. MALDI-Based Mass Spectrometry in Clinical Testing: Focus on Bacterial Identification. Appl Sci. 2022;12(6):2814. doi:10.3390/app12062814
  9. Zhang X, Chen L, Zhang T, et al. Duodenal microbiota dysbiosis in functional dyspepsia and its potential role of the duodenal microbiota in gut-brain axis interaction: a systematic review. Front Microbiol. 2024;15:1409280. Published 2024 Aug 6. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2024.1409280
  10. Sharma PC, McCandless MG, Sontakke SP, Varshney N, Brodell RT, Kyle PB, Daley WP. Navigating Viral Gastroenteritis: Epidemiological Trends, Pathogen Analysis, and Histopathological Findings. Cureus. 2024;16(5):e61197. doi:10.7759/cureus.61197


All trademarks are owned by the company and its affiliates. ©2026 Mosaic Diagnostics. All Rights Reserved. MDX_GI_GI360_10-2026.v1

Not sure which testing path fits your patient?

Our clinical team helps you choose the right panel and interpret results with confidence.

Talk to our clinical team