Campylobacter is a group of bacteria that can cause an intestinal infection called campylobacteriosis. A stool result is most useful when it is matched to the timing of diarrhea, possible exposures and your current health—not read as a stand-alone explanation for every gut symptom.
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Why Campylobacter matters
Contaminated poultry, unpasteurized milk and untreated water are recognized sources. Infection can cause diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever; diarrhea may be bloody. People with weakened immune systems and some other higher-risk groups can become more seriously ill. [1]
What GI-MAP reports
The Campylobacter entry looks for targeted microbial DNA in the submitted stool sample. A molecular finding is different from growing a living organism in culture. Read the result, units and laboratory comments together; a DNA quantity is not a count of how many days you have been infected. [2]
Detected, negative or still symptomatic
A detected result can support an investigation when the symptoms and exposure fit. It does not identify the meal that caused the illness, establish that the organism is still viable or determine which antibiotic would work. A clinician may request conventional stool testing or culture for confirmation, susceptibility information or public-health purposes.
An undetected result means the target was not detected under the conditions of that sample. It cannot rule out other infections or explain persistent symptoms after an earlier illness. If testing occurred after antibiotics, tell the clinician which medicine you took and when.
When to seek care
Get prompt medical advice for bloody diarrhea, persistent fever or worsening pain. Signs of dehydration, such as very little urine or inability to keep fluids down, need urgent attention. A mail-in microbiome panel is not a reason to delay that assessment. [1]
Common questions
Is a PCR result the same as a Campylobacter culture?
No. PCR detects a genetic target; culture attempts to grow the organism. The methods answer overlapping but different questions.
Does a higher result mean a more severe infection?
Not reliably. Severity is assessed from symptoms, hydration, examination and other clinical findings, not the GI-MAP quantity alone.
Sources and review
Sources checked October 7, 2026. Manufacturer material describes the test; clinical guidance and research support the interpretation limits.
Medical review of this article is pending. For a correction or source question, contact GI MAP Test.