Biomarker Reference · Taxa %

What does the Bacterial Taxa Relative Abundance (Phylum, Family, Genus, Species) test measure?

Q: What is the reference range for Bacterial Taxa Relative Abundance (Phylum, Family, Genus, Species)?

The standard reference range for Bacterial Taxa Relative Abundance (Phylum, Family, Genus, Species) is Laboratory-specific reference distributions; high inter-individual variation.. Reference ranges vary by laboratory and assay platform — interpret in context of the issuing laboratory's stated range.

Bacterial Taxa Relative Abundance (Phylum, Family, Genus, Species) (Taxa %) is a clinical biomarker used in gastrointestinal assessment. Next-generation sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene or shotgun metagenomics quantifies the relative abundance of bacterial phyla (Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria), families, genera, and sometimes species in stool. It is measured in 1 laboratory test on BiomarkersLabs.com.

Reference Range: Laboratory-specific reference distributions; high inter-individual variation.
Units: Relative % abundance
Measured In: 1 test
Category: Gastrointestinal

Functional medicine optimalBalanced representation of major phyla, presence of known beneficial genera, and absence of pathobionts; specific thresholds are not standardised.

What is Bacterial Taxa Relative Abundance (Phylum, Family, Genus, Species)?

Next-generation sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene or shotgun metagenomics quantifies the relative abundance of bacterial phyla (Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria), families, genera, and sometimes species in stool. The profile reflects colonic microbial community structure, which is influenced by diet, antibiotics, host genetics, and disease.

Why is Bacterial Taxa Relative Abundance (Phylum, Family, Genus, Species) measured?

Specific taxa have been associated with health (e.g. Faecalibacterium, Akkermansia, Bifidobacterium) or dysbiosis (e.g. elevated Proteobacteria, reduced Firmicutes:Bacteroidetes ratio in obesity). The clinical utility of single-taxon abundance is limited by inter-individual variation and the functional redundancy of the microbiome; interpretation should focus on patterns rather than isolated taxa.

Reference ranges

Standard reference: Laboratory-specific reference distributions; high inter-individual variation.
Functional medicine optimal: Balanced representation of major phyla, presence of known beneficial genera, and absence of pathobionts; specific thresholds are not standardised.
Units: Relative % abundance

Reference ranges vary by laboratory and assay platform. Interpret in context of the issuing laboratory's stated range.

Tests that measure Bacterial Taxa Relative Abundance (Phylum, Family, Genus, Species)

1 test on BiomarkersLabs.com include this biomarker.

BML-GAS-045Comprehensive

GI Effects Comprehensive Profile – 1 Day (Stool)

Bacterial Taxa Relative Abundance (Phylum, Family, Genus, Species) reference range in this test: Laboratory-specific reference distributions; high inter-individual variation.

Related clinical conditions

Related Biomarkers

Frequently measured alongside

Faecal CalprotectinCalprotectin2 tests Secretory Immunoglobulin AsIgA2 tests Beta-Glucuronidaseβ-Gluc2 tests Pancreatic Elastase-1PE-11 test Short-Chain Fatty Acids (Acetate, Propionate, Butyrate)SCFA4 tests Faecal Fat (Steatocrit or Qualitative)Steatocrit1 test Faecal Occult BloodFOB1 test Microbial diversity (Shannon index)Shannon H'2 tests

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