Clinical Significance

Gastroccult is a rapid screening test designed for detecting the presence of occult blood and determining the pH of gastric aspirate or vomitus. Sample is retrieved by Gastric Aspirate (by nasogastric intubation) or vomitus. The normal pH of blood is alkaline (7.35 – 7.45), while the normal pH of gastric juices is acidic (1.5 – 3.5). If blood is present in the gastric sample, the pH should then be more alkaline. However, if blood is not present, the pH would then be acidic as the sample is stomach acid only.

The Gastroccult Slide Test is for In Vitro Diagnostic Use as an aid in the diagnosis and management of various gastric conditions which may be encountered in intensive care areas, the emergency room, surgical recovery room, and other clinical settings. The identification of occult blood can be useful in the early detection of gastric trauma or deteriorating gastric condition, while pH may be of use in evaluating antacid therapy. Standard fecal occult blood tests lose sensitivity at low pH and may be unsuitable for use with gastric samples. The Gastroccult test is not recommended for use with fecal samples