Occult Blood
Occult blood refers to the presence of blood in stool that is not visible to the naked eye. Detecting occult blood is an important diagnostic test that helps identify pathological processes in the gastrointestinal tract.
- Causes of occult blood in stool:
- peptic ulcer disease of the stomach and duodenum;
- inflammatory bowel diseases (colitis, Crohn's disease);
- polyps and tumors of the gastrointestinal tract (including early stages of cancer);
- hemorrhoids and anal fissures;
- trauma to the intestinal mucosa;
- use of certain medications (e.g., anticoagulants).
- Detection methods:
There are chemical and immunological tests for detecting occult blood in stool. Immunochemical methods are more specific and sensitive, as they respond only to human blood.
- Clinical significance:
A positive result requires further examination to identify the source of bleeding. It is important to consider possible false-positive and false-negative results, which may occur due to improper sample collection, consumption of red meat, vegetables, vitamin C, and more.
Regular screening for occult blood is recommended for the early detection of colorectal cancer and other serious gastrointestinal diseases.