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GI MAP Test, a provider of access to the GI-MAP™ comprehensive stool test in the United States and Canada, has launched a new guidance resource for customers who receive a test result detecting the intestinal parasite Cyclospora. The service was announced on August 5, 2026, and aims to support individuals navigating next steps after such a result.
The guidance resource is offered at no additional cost to eligible customers. It is delivered by email alongside the customer's test results, but only when Cyclospora is detected. The resource is not provided at the time of test purchase.
Details of the Guidance Resource
The educational guidance was developed to address practical questions that may arise after a Cyclospora detection in a stool test. It explains what Cyclospora is and what a detected result on the GI-MAP™ panel may indicate. The resource outlines common sources of contamination to help customers reduce the risk of repeat exposure and identifies symptoms that may require urgent medical attention, rather than waiting for a routine appointment. It also sets expectations for digestive recovery, including why symptoms may persist even after treatment.
The company emphasizes that the guidance does not provide prescription medication instructions, dosing information, or any form of diagnosis. It does not interpret symptoms in place of a medical evaluation or offer a self-treatment pathway. Customers are directed to consult a licensed clinician for evaluation and treatment.
"A laboratory result is only useful if the person holding it knows what to do next," said Madison Ordway, FDN-P, Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner who reviews the company's educational content. "The purpose of this resource is to help people arrive at their appointment prepared, and to explain why recovery can take time even after treatment is complete. It is not a replacement for a prescriber."
GI-MAP™ Test Overview
The GI-MAP™ is an at-home stool test analyzed by Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory, a CLIA-certified laboratory in the United States. The test uses quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) DNA analysis to detect and measure more than 85 gut targets from a single sample, including bacterial, parasitic and viral pathogens, fungi and yeast, commensal bacteria, and markers of digestion, inflammation, and immune function.
Cyclospora is included in the protozoan parasite section of the GI-MAP™ panel. The qPCR method identifies specific DNA sequences, allowing detection of organisms present in small numbers. Results are typically available 14 to 16 days after the laboratory receives the sample and are reviewed by a practitioner.
Background on Cyclospora and Service Rationale
According to public health authorities such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cyclospora is a microscopic single-celled parasite that infects the lining of the small intestine. Infection occurs through consumption of contaminated food or water. Symptoms, including watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, and fatigue, are similar to other digestive infections, making laboratory testing necessary for identification. Treatment requires prescription therapy from a qualified clinician.
The company notes that customers may receive a detected result at home without immediate access to a clinician for explanation. The guidance resource was created to bridge this information gap, providing accessible information and helping customers prepare for their medical appointments.
Eligibility and Access
The guidance resource is available to customers who ordered their GI-MAP™ test through GI MAP Test and received a result detecting Cyclospora. It is included as part of the service, with no additional purchase required.
Customers who ordered the test through another practitioner, clinic, distributor, or laboratory are not eligible for this service and are advised to consult the provider who placed their order. The company also advises anyone experiencing acute illness not to wait for the resource and to seek immediate medical care.
Due to state laboratory regulations, the GI-MAP™ test is not available for residents of New York, New Jersey, or Rhode Island.
Further details on the announcement and the Cyclospora guidance resource can be found at the Cyclospora guidance resource page.
About GI MAP Test
GI MAP Test provides access to the GI-MAP™ comprehensive stool test for customers in the United States and Canada, including the practitioner order required for laboratory testing. The test is analyzed by Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory using qPCR DNA technology and reports more than 85 gut biomarkers from a single at-home sample. Educational content published by the company is reviewed by Madison Ordway, FDN-P, a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner.
GI-MAP™ is a trademark of Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory, LLC. GI MAP Test works with authorized providers and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory.
This announcement is for general educational purposes only. It is not medical advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Test results, symptoms, and treatment should be discussed with a qualified healthcare professional.
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Media Contact:
Madison Ordway, FDN-P
Real Health Diagnostics Inc. (gimaptest.com)
hello@gimaptest.com
672-969-1200
