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stool guaiac

Also see fecal occult blood Indications: - screening for colon cancer - evaluation of anemia - evaluation of gastrointestinal hemorrhage - abdominal pain - changes in bowel movements - weight loss - melena Clinical significance: - a rapid test for the presence of blood in the stool Procedure: A small amount of stool is placed onto a developer card. One or two drops of a dye-containing solution (hemoccult) is applied & allowed to sit for a minute. Development of a blue color indicates presence of peroxidase activity & by inference heme & blood. Sensitivity of the test may be enhanced by rehydrating guaiac cards.

Related

adenocarcinoma of the colon &/or rectum

General

fecal occult blood; fecal immunochemical testing; fecal immunofluorescence testing, multitarget stool DNA (mt-sDNA, FOB, FIT, iFOBT, ColonCARE, Hemoccult, ICT, InSure)

References

  1. Clinical Diagnosis & Management by Laboratory Methods, 19th edition, J.B. Henry (ed), W.B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia, PA. 1996, pg 539
  2. Medline Plus: Stool guaiac test http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003393.htm