What does the Commensal Bacterial Flora test measure?

Why is Commensal Bacterial Flora measured?

Semi-quantitative culture or molecular enumeration of major commensal groups helps identify dysbiosis — reduced diversity, overgrowth of facultative aerobes, or loss of beneficial anaerobes — that may contribute to diarrhoea, constipation, and systemic inflammation. Patterns of imbalance guide therapeutic decisions around prebiotics, probiotics, dietary modification, and antimicrobial therapy.

Reference ranges

Standard reference

Laboratory-specific qualitative or semi-quantitative scale; predominance of Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and other anaerobes expected in healthy stool.

Functional medicine optimal

Predominance of Bacteroides and Firmicutes anaerobes, moderate Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, minimal Enterobacteriaceae and other facultative Gram-negatives; qualitative interpretation is method- and laboratory-specific.

Units

Semi-quantitative (none/1+/2+/3+/4+), log₁₀ CFU/g

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