GI Pathogen Panel Stool Test (PCR) | Diarrhea Labs

About the test

This GI pathogen panel tests for 15 pathogens and can help identify if you are suffering from an illness caused by gastrointestinal (GI) bugs/pathogens such as bacteria, bacterial toxins, and viruses. Testing for infectious pathogens is an important first step when evaluating a cause for prolonged or severe diarrhea and understanding the cause of conditions commonly referred to as "stomach flu."

This panel can be helpful if you need to seek treatment for infectious illness or rule out infection prior to exploring other reasons why you may continue to have diarrhea. The information provided by this gastrointestinal pathogen panel will allow you to have an informed conversation with your healthcare provider.

The markers contained within this test are measured in your stool. You’ll need to book two appointments: one to pick up your stool sample container, and another to return it once you’ve collected your sample.

Included with your purchase, you have the ability to discuss your results with an independent healthcare provider at no extra cost. If your test results are positive, that provider may be able to prescribe treatment options (particularly for Campylobacter, Salmonella, and Shigella groups) or advise you to seek treatment options from your personal healthcare provider.

No doctor’s visit needed. Buy this GI PCR panel online, visit a nearby Quest location, and get fast results.

This test may be right for you if any of the following are true:

You have been suffering from bloody stools, a stomach bug/diarrhea that is moderate (causes you to change your activities) to severe (total disability) or that has lasted longer than 7 days
You are immunocompromised, and are suffering from stomach flu or diarrhea related symptoms
You live in, or have recently traveled to, an area where there is an acute gastroenteritis (stomach flu) outbreak
You are experiencing any signs and symptoms of a gastrointestinal infection (see Signs & symptoms section below)

This test may NOT be right for you if you are suffering from mild diarrhea lasting less than a week. Guidelines from the American College of Gastroenterology indicate that stool diagnostic testing can be considered in cases of moderate to severe watery diarrhea or dysentery, or when symptoms last longer than 7 days.¹

Stool tests for diarrhea look for genetic material (RNA or DNA) of different bacteria, bacterial toxins, and viruses to determine what may be causing illness that lasts more than a week. This GI panel PCR test includes the following:

Bacteria/Toxin

The bacteria tested include the following: Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli, Campylobacter lari, Salmonella species, Shigella sonnei, Shigella flexner, Shigella boydii, Shigella dysenteriae, vibrio parahaemolyticus, vibrio cholera, and Yersinia enterocolitica. To help determine if bacteria present produce specific toxins, the gene markers for Shiga toxin 1 (stx1) and Shiga toxin 2 (stx2) can also be detected by this test.

If Campylobacter Group, Salmonella Species, Shigella Species, Vibrio Group, Yersinia enterocolitica, Shiga toxin 1 or Shiga toxin 2 genes are detected, then an Isolate Referral/Public Health confirmatory test will be automatically performed on your sample, at no extra cost to you.

Viruses

The viruses being tested for include the following: Norovirus (G1.GII) and Rotavirus (group A).

Signs and symptoms of gastrointestinal issues caused by the pathogens listed above include the following:

Diarrhea – watery, bloody, or mucous-containing stool
Fever and chills
Dehydration
Stomach tenderness, pain, or cramping
Nausea and vomiting
Headaches
Muscle aches and pain

Purchaser: You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a test on questhealth.com.

Patient: This test can be performed on patients between 18 and 100 years old.

Sample collection: This test requires 2 visits to a Quest Diagnostics location for sample container pickup and drop-off. Collection is not available in AK, AZ, or HI.

No special preparation required. The markers contained within this test are measured in your stool. You’ll need to book two appointments: one to pick up your stool sample container, and another to return it once you’ve collected your sample.

After you provide your specimen, it generally takes a few business days to process and release your test results. However, processing times may vary. Your test results will be available in a clear and easy-to-read report. If you have or create a MyQuest® account, you may be able to review your new results there with your other Quest results. If your results differ from expected ranges, you may receive an alert call from an independent healthcare coordinator. Independent healthcare providers are available to discuss questions or concerns you may have regarding your results and may be able to prescribe treatment, if appropriate.

Included with your purchase, you have the ability to discuss your results with an independent healthcare provider at no extra cost. If your test results are positive, that provider may be able to prescribe treatment options (particularly for Campylobacter, Salmonella, and Shigella groups) or advise you to seek treatment options from your personal healthcare provider.

How it works

questhealth.com offers 150+ consumer-initiated Quest Diagnostics lab tests to empower you to have more control over your health journey. Choose from a variety of test types that best suit your needs.

1

Buy a lab test

No doctor visit is required for purchase, but an independent healthcare provider is involved throughout the process.

Shop now

2

Register your test
& schedule appointments

Complete test registration online and book 2 visits at one of 2000+ Quest locations - you will need one visit for pick-up and one for drop-off.

Register your test

3

Visit Quest for sample collection

On your first visit, pick up your sample container and receive instructions for proper collection. On your second, you will drop off your stool sample.

4

Get fast results

Access results online as soon as they’re available. You will be emailed when they are ready. Discuss your results with an independent healthcare provider at no extra cost.

FAQs

Do I need to provide my stool sample during the appointment?

No. Stool samples are collected at home, not at the Patient Service Center (PSC). At your first appointment, you’ll pick up your stool sample container (Cary-Blair vial) and instructions. You’ll then collect your sample at home, following the directions provided.

Click here for stool sample collection instructions.

Once you've collected your sample, you’ll book a second appointment to return the container to the PSC. There’s no need to produce a sample on site — just bring the properly sealed container with you when you come back.

What are some alternative names commonly used or referred to for this panel?

This test has also been called the following: Enteric Pathogen Panel, GI Panel, Chronic Diarrhea, Unresolved Diarrhea, Gastroenteritis, and Infectious Diarrhea Panel.

Does this test for a stomach bug?

Yes. This test detects 15 gastrointestinal pathogens, including bacteria, bacterial toxins, and viruses, that can cause illnesses like stomach bugs, stomach flu, and diarrhea.

Can I use my FSA or HSA funds to purchase tests on questhealth.com?

You may be able to use your FSA or HSA funds to purchase lab tests at questhealth.com. Please review your FSA/HSA plan or check with a tax professional to confirm specific requirements for individual eligibility.

Our references

1. Riddle MS, DuPont HL, Connor BA. ACG Clinical Guideline: diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of acute diarrheal infections in adults. Am J Gastroenterol. 2016;111(5):602-622. doi:10.1038/ajg.2016.126

2. Mayo Clinic. Viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu). Accessed October 29, 2025. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/viral-gastroenteritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20378847

3. National Library of Medicine Medline Plus. Bacterial gastroenteritis. Accessed October 29, 2025. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000254.htm

4. Gastrointestinal Pathogen Panel, Real-Time PCR | Test Summary | Quest Diagnostics

Tests purchased on questhealth.com are only for individuals who intend to pay directly for testing and do not want to submit a claim for reimbursement under their health insurance.

Gastrointestinal Infection ("Stomach Flu") Stool Test Panel