Fäkalmaterial

Fäkalmaterial, or fecal matter, refers to the solid or semi-solid waste excreted by the alimentary tract. In medical and research contexts, it is collected from humans or animals for diagnostic and investigative purposes. Fäkalmaterial comprises mainly water, undigested dietary components, microbial cells and metabolites, bile pigments, and mucus; the exact composition varies with diet, health, and the gut microbiome.

Physical characteristics include color ranging from light to dark brown, consistency from formed to loose, and a characteristic odor due to volatile compounds. The appearance and consistency can be influenced by recent meals, medications, and health conditions.

Handling and transport are important for reliable analysis. Samples are collected in a clean, leak-proof container with minimal contamination and labeled with appropriate information. They are usually transported refrigerated (2–8°C) and processed promptly; preservatives may be used for certain tests to stabilize components or inhibit degradation.

Applications and tests that use fäkalmaterial include diagnostic microbiology and biomarkers. Routine culture, antigen tests, and molecular assays screen for enteric pathogens; parasitology tests identify parasites; toxin or antigen tests may be employed as needed. Molecular sequencing, including 16S rRNA analysis, informs studies of the gut microbiome. Clinically, fecal calprotectin serves as a marker of intestinal inflammation, while fecal elastase assesses pancreatic function. Fäkalmaterial is also used in fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), a therapeutic procedure for certain dysbioses.

Limitations and safety considerations include variability due to collection methods, transit time, and inhibitors that can affect results. Standard biosafety precautions apply, and ethical considerations are particularly relevant for donor-derived material used in procedures like FMT.