EN
Microbiome 360° Gut
Carbon Neutral. Staying That Way.We are committed to staying carbon neutral, using minimal, recyclable packaging and avoiding unnecessary materials.
Microbiome 360°Gut

Advanced gut microbiome test for home use: microbiome analysis at species level

★★★★★4.96(25)Verified
€229,00Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.
In stock, ships immediatelyWith you in 1 to 3 working days

Beyond a simple gut test. Your entire gut microbiome decoded & analyzed.

With Microbiome 360° Gut, Bactera offers one of the most advanced gut microbiome analyses available. Conventional tests read only single genes. We decode the entire DNA of your stool sample using shotgun sequencing and identify bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites down to species level.

Your sample is analyzed in-house in Germany, using advanced bioinformatics and the highest scientific standards. The result is a comprehensive view of your microbiome: microbial diversity, gut health, metabolism and other key areas of your health.

One test. 360° analysis. Complete DNA. Deeper insights.

  • Your gut at a glance
  • Gut health rating, bacterial diversity and microbiome age
  • Risk patterns for conditions – from IBS, leaky gut and colorectal cancer to type 2 diabetes, depression and more
  • Gut function scores: fibre fermentation, mucus layer, gas production, inflammatory pressure, sleep support
  • Resilience index: how well your gut flora recovers from disruptions such as antibiotics
  • Your gut type (enterotype) and your 5 key bacteria (BIG5)
  • What lives in your gut
  • Deep shotgun DNA sequencing: thousands of organism species analysed, not just broad bacterial families
  • The key organisms of your gut flora, grouped by function and each compared with thousands of healthy reference samples
  • Apple Pay
  • Google Pay
  • PayPal
  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • Maestro
  • Klarna
  • American Express
  • Shop Pay
Scientific methodology at the highest level
Analysis in Germany with our own bioinformatics pipelines
GDPR-compliant, maximum data security
We drive the microbiome revolution in Europe
Microbiome 360°Gut
Shipping calculated at checkoutShipping policy
Who this test is for

For people who want to know what is really going on in their gut

Gut symptoms without a clear cause, constant tiredness, the weeks after antibiotics or simply the wish to age well: Microbiome 360° Gut shows you which bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites live in your gut and what that means for you. From one stool sample, collected at home, analysed in Cologne.

Sound familiar?Does your gut run your day?

Gut symptoms, but no answers

Bloating, diarrhoea, constipation or suspected IBS, and your doctor says everything looks normal. Your report shows how your diversity, core bacteria and 34 clinically relevant organisms are doing.

DiarrhoeaBloatingIBS
Sound familiar?Tired despite a healthy lifestyle?

Energy, sleep and immune system

Exhaustion, frequent infections or cravings can be linked to your gut. You see whether your microbiome can produce key compounds such as butyrate and how stable it is.

FatigueCravingsFrequent infections
Sound familiar?After antibiotics or an infection?

Know how your gut has recovered

After antibiotics, a stomach infection or a change of diet. The report shows which species are missing, which dominate and whether resistance genes are detectable.

AntibioticsStomach infectionDiet change
Sound familiar?Ageing well?

Prevention based on data, not gut feeling

You look after your diet, exercise and sleep and want to know whether your gut keeps up. With microbiome age, gut health score and a risk assessment for 15 conditions.

Microbiome ageMetabolismPrevention
Self-checkWhat applies to you? Tap to select.
SymptomsSuspected or diagnosedYour situation
Your resultDo you recognise yourself?

Then the answer is in the DNA of your stool sample. We read it completely: bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites in one run, down to species level. Most other gut tests only capture bacteria. You will learn more in the next sections.

Order test kit€229 incl. VAT. With you in 1 to 3 working days.
Maximum data securityMade in GermanyScience-based4.96 (25 reviews)
Do you recognise yourself?

Then the answer is in the DNA of your stool sample. We read it completely: bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites in one run. Most other gut tests only capture bacteria. You will learn more in the next sections.

Order test kit€229 incl. VAT. With you in 1 to 3 working days.
Maximum data securityMade in GermanyScience-based4.96 (25 reviews)
What you get

Everything that lives in your gut. And what it means for you.

One of the deepest and most comprehensive gut flora analyses you can get. We read the entire DNA of your stool sample and explain every result to you.

  • Bacteria
  • Viruses
  • Fungi
  • Parasites
10 million DNA fragments are what we read from your stool sample. A typical gut test reads about 10,000, only a tiny excerpt*. That is why we detect not only bacteria but also viruses, fungi and parasites, down to the exact species.
Order test kit€229 incl. VAT. With you in 1 to 3 working days.
Microbiome 360° Gut · Sample ABCD1234Your gut at a glance
82of 100
Gut health scoreDiversity, core bacteria and function in one number. Within the range of the healthy reference group.Normal
Diversity More species than 78 of 100 healthy people
You
Microbiome age 39 years You are 45. Your gut appears biologically younger.
Identified species 2,136 Bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites, each named in your list
Who lives in your gutMicrobial profileCompared with healthy people. One entry open:
Faecalibacterium prausnitziiLow
P22Percentile: more than in 22 of 100 healthy people. Relative abundance 1.9 %
LessHealthy medianMore

What this means: This species produces butyrate, the most important fuel of your gut cells, and curbs inflammation. In you it is rarer than in most people.

Recommendation: More fibre from oats, legumes and vegetables.

Akkermansia muciniphilaP91Very high
Bifidobacterium spp.P54Normal
Ruminococcus gnavusP88Elevated
Roseburia spp.P71High
+ 34 more organisms, plus thousands of species in your list+ 34 more organisms
Your five core bacteriaBIG5Five groups of bacteria that keep your gut stable. One open:
Agathobacter rectalisVery low
P6Percentile: less than in 94 of 100 healthy people
LessHealthy medianMore

What this means: An important butyrate producer is almost missing. Your gut gets less energy for its lining and reacts less stably to disturbances.

Recommendation: Resistant starch from cooled potatoes or rice, whole grains and legumes.

Faecalibacterium prausnitziiP22Low
Roseburia spp.P71High
Bifidobacterium spp.P54Normal
Akkermansia muciniphilaP91Very high
What your gut can doFunctional panelsCalculated from your bacteria. One panel open:
Gas productionAbnormal
P86Higher than 86 of 100 healthy people
FavourableAbnormal
Involved (3)M. smithii ↑Klebsiella ↑Desulfovibrio ↑

What this means: More gas than usual forms while you digest. That explains bloating and fullness.

Recommendation: Less sugar and white flour, increase fibre slowly.

Butyrate productionP34Medium
Inflammatory pressureP41Favourable
Protective layer of the gut wallP58Favourable
Sleep and daily rhythmP63Favourable
An early pointerRisk assessment15 conditions: does your gut flora resemble the pattern of people affected? One open:
Leaky gut syndromeHigh risk
37 %Health index, on the risk side
Protection0Risk
Contributing microorganisms (3)Faecalibacterium ↓R. gnavus ↑E. coli ↑

What this means: Fewer protective butyrate producers, more bacteria that irritate the gut wall. Typical for people affected.

Recommendation: Concrete steps in the report, to take along to your doctor.

Gout47 %Risk
Irritable bowel syndrome10 %Neutral
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)67 %Protective
Type 2 diabetes72 %Protective
+ 10 more, for example colorectal cancer, fatty liver, obesity+ 10 more conditions
Safety checkPathogens34 clinically relevant organisms checked. One entry open:
Blastocystis hominisDetected
Parasite, lives in the large intestine. Detected via its DNA, relative abundance 0.4 %.
Not detectedDetected

What this means: A common gut parasite. In many people without symptoms, in some linked to bloating and diarrhoea.

Recommendation: If you have symptoms, discuss it with your doctor.

Helico­bacter pyloriBacteriumNot detected
Candida albicansYeastNot detected
Giardia lambliaParasiteNot detected
+ 30 more bacteria, yeasts, viruses and parasites+ 30 more pathogens
ResistomeAntibiotic resistance genesHundreds of genes checked, sorted by drug class. One open:
TetracyclinesDetected
4resistance genes against this antibiotic class found in your sample
Genes found (4)tet(W)tet(Q)tet(O)tet(32)

What this means: Some of your gut bacteria are insensitive to tetracyclines. Often a consequence of earlier antibiotics.

Recommendation: Helpful for your doctor when choosing an antibiotic.

Macrolides2Detected
Beta-lactams0Not detected
Quinolones0Not detected
Glycopeptides0Not detected
+ 9 more drug classes+ 9 more classes
  • Gut health score, diversity and microbiome age. For example: is your gut biologically younger or older than you?

  • Bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. For the most important organisms you see whether you have more or less of them than healthy people. Plus thousands more species in your list.

  • From the bacteria living in you we calculate how well your gut does its jobs: does it make enough butyrate, the most important fuel of your gut cells? How much gas is produced? How stable is the protective layer of your gut wall? Five areas, each as a traffic light.

  • Does your gut flora resemble the pattern often found in people affected? For example IBS, leaky gut syndrome or type 2 diabetes. Each one explained.

  • Bacteria, yeasts, viruses and parasites that can cause symptoms, for example Helicobacter, Candida or Giardia. Plus hundreds of antibiotic resistance genes.

  • Concrete steps for every abnormal value, written in plain language. Your report stays in your account and gets free updates whenever new analyses are added.

*Comparison of analysis methods (shotgun sequencing versus 16S), not of individual providers.

Why Bactera

Among the leading gut microbiome analysis providers in Europe.

Most gut tests only scratch the surface. With DNA shotgun sequencing we reveal the full picture of your gut microbiome and turn complex biology into clear, usable insights. Every analysis follows the highest scientific standards, and we keep investing in the most advanced technology and our own analytic tools.

Made in Germany

Analysis and evaluation are done by us in Cologne, within the German and European regulatory framework.

Sequenced to ISO standards

The DNA of your sample is read in Cologne to ISO standards. Scientific methodology at the highest level, with the method used in microbiome research.

The most advanced technology

Shotgun metagenomics with 10 million paired-end reads per sample, 25 million on request, current sequencing chemistry and the latest analytic tools.

Highest scientific standards

Validated, standardised methods from sample collection to report. Our bioinformatics pipelines and reference cohorts are built, reviewed and continuously improved by our own team.

Pseudonymised and GDPR compliant

We analyse samples pseudonymously and store your data securely under the GDPR.

CologneHeadquarters, Germany
4 disciplinesMicrobiology, human medicine, bioinformatics, computer science
12 analysis areasFrom a single stool sample
Own pipelinesDeveloped and run in-house
Sample reportRead the full demo report before you orderNo account and no purchase. Each section shows how a result is explained and where the reference comparisons come from. Open demo report  →Opens my.bactera.de/demo in a new tab
How it works

Four steps to your report

Everything happens at home and by post. Nothing to buy, nothing to pack and no appointment needed.

1
Laptop with the registration page next to the opened test kit

Order and register

Your kit is with you in 1 to 3 working days. Register it online with the code from the box.

2
Hands placing the sample tube in the hygiene bag

Collect your sample at home

A few minutes with the tube from the kit, illustrated step by step.

3
The box is handed in with the prepaid return label

Send it back prepaid

The same box goes back with the prepaid label. The solution in the tube keeps the sample stable, no cooling needed.

4
Woman reading her microbiome report on a laptop

Read your report

After 4 to 6 weeks your report is in your account, with explanations and recommendations.

Contents of the test kit: box, sample ID card, instructions, tube

Everything is in the kit

Collection tube with stabilising solution, collection aid, illustrated instructions, sample ID card, hygiene bag and the prepaid return label. Nothing to buy and no appointment to make.

What comes next

The next sections show you in detail what our analysis delivers and what your report can tell you about the health of your gut microbiome.

Just keep reading at your own pace. Each section shows you examples from the report, exactly as you will see it later in your portal.

All from one stool sample, collected at home, analysed in Cologne.
  1. 01The differenceWhy we read the entire DNA of your sample
  2. 02Your reportWhat you get: values, explanations and an action plan
  3. 03What is testedTwelve analysis areas from a single sample
  4. 04Risk assessment15 conditions, classified based on your microbiome
  5. 05The methodShotgun metagenomics instead of a 16S test
The difference

The complete microbiome picture from a single stool sample

Most microbiome tests in Germany use 16S sequencing or culture methods, and both mainly capture bacteria. We read the entire DNA of your stool sample, so viruses, fungi and parasites are picked up in the same analysis.

BacteriaDown to species level

Thousands of bacterial species identified from the DNA in your sample, with the main phyla and genera, species count and evenness, compared with a healthy reference cohort.

VirusesDNA viruses in stool

Selected clinically relevant DNA viruses are captured in the same sequencing run, with no extra sample.

FungiYeasts and moulds

From beneficial yeasts such as Saccharomyces boulardii to Candida species and moulds.

ParasitesProtozoa and worms

Giardia, Entamoeba, Blastocystis, Cryptosporidium and more, as a pure detection screening from the same stool sample.

Your report

What you get: a report that explains instead of just measuring

For every value you see the reference range, what it means for you and what to do next. Use the report interactively in the portal or download it.

  • Interactive in the portalDesktop and mobile, available at any time at my.bactera.de. You can also download the report and share it, for example with your doctor.
  • Highest scientific standardVery deep analysis with 10 million paired-end reads per sample. On request we go further: 25 million reads, virulence gene analysis and phage analysis, all from the same sample. See the options.
  • Raw data includedFASTQ files and abundance tables to download
At a glanceSample illustration
Species identified2527
Your microbiome diversityAverage
Microbiome age44 yrs
Gut Health Score94/100
Gut Health Score
94
EXCELLENT
Resilience & Stability Index
74
GOOD
BIG5 core bacteria
F. prausnitzii Normal
Roseburia spp. Normal
A. rectalis Low
Bifidobacterium spp. High
A. muciniphila Normal
Microbial screening
!Clinically relevant bacterial, viral or parasitic DNA detected in your sample.
2markers detected: Adenovirus, Salmonella enterica
32markers screened, not detected
19yeasts and fungi screened
4resistance genes detected
What is tested

What Microbiome 360° Gut covers

Twelve analysis areas from a single stool sample, all in one report.

12Analysis areas: alpha diversity, microbiome age and more
34Clinically relevant microorganisms screened
Complete
picture
Bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites at species level
100sAntimicrobial resistance genes
4Enterotypes: protein, plant-based, complex carbohydrate, fats and more.
20Risk assessment & functional potential
FreeReport upgrades as new analyses become available
01 / 12

Alpha Diversity Index

Measures how many different microorganisms live in your gut and how balanced they are. Higher diversity is associated with better digestion, immunity and metabolic health.

Sample illustration from the report
% healthy referenceAlpha Diversity Index

Your Index (4.18) is in the 62nd percentile, meaning it scores higher than 62% of the healthy reference samples.

Your gut microbiome shows a moderate and balanced diversity. This points to an ecosystem within the healthy range.

02 / 12

Microbiome Age

Your gut can be “older” or “younger” than your chronological age. We compare your microbiome with thousands of healthy profiles to estimate its biological ageing.

Sample illustration from the report
44yrs
Result < −10Younger than your chronological age
−10 to +10Age-appropriate
Result > +10Older than your chronological age

The biological microbiome age is calibrated against healthy reference data and expressed as the difference from your chronological age.

03 / 12

Gut Health Score & Microbiome Resilience Index

Two easy-to-understand indices: the Gut Health Score summarises inflammatory potential, protective bacteria and metabolic activity; the Resilience & Stability Index estimates how well your gut ecosystem can recover after disruptions such as antibiotics, infections or stress.

Sample illustration from the report
94
EXCELLENTGut Health Score
74
GOODResilience & Stability Index

A score in this range reflects a highly balanced gut ecosystem with strong microbial diversity and few risk-associated patterns; the index shows a stable, adaptable microbiome that is well equipped to recover after disruptions.

Summarises
Inflammatory potentialProtective bacteriaMetabolic activityRecovery after antibiotics, infections and stress
04 / 12

Microbiome-associated risk assessment

For 15 conditions across four areas, from IBS and IBD to colorectal cancer and type 2 diabetes, we calculate a protection or risk value from your microbiome and show which bacterial strains are involved.

Sample illustration from the report
Colorectal cancer37 % Risk
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)58 % Protective
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)47 % Risk
Type 2 diabetes27 % Neutral
Leaky gut syndrome22 % Neutral

Each value is read from the centre: to the right towards risk, to the left towards protection. Five of the 15 assessments are shown.

Four areas
Digestive disorders (8)Metabolic & hormonal (4)Neurological & mental health (2)Autoimmune (1)
All 15 risk assessments ↓
05 / 12

Functional potential of your microbiome

Five panels show what your bacteria can actually do: gas production, sleep and circadian rhythm support, butyrate support, inflammation pressure and mucin degradation, each placed on a traffic-light scale against the healthy reference population, with the organisms that shape your score.

Sample illustration from the report
Gas productionP87 Elevated
Sleep & circadian rhythm supportP99 Favourable
Butyrate supportP59 Favourable
Inflammation pressureP10 Favourable
Mucin degradationP17 Favourable

P87 means higher than 87 of 100 healthy people. Green zones are favourable, amber and red call for attention.

Each panel shows
Percentile against the healthy referenceOrganisms driving the scoreWhat it means for you
All five panels in detail ↓
06 / 12

Core Bacteria Species (BIG5)

Evaluates whether the most important beneficial bacteria, which support digestion, immunity and protection against pathogens, are present in sufficient amounts in your gut.

Sample illustration from the report
Faecalibacterium prausnitziiNormal
Roseburia spp.Normal
Agathobacter rectalisLow
Bifidobacterium spp.High
Akkermansia muciniphilaNormal

Suggests healthy butyrate production and balanced immune regulation within the gut.

More about the BIG5 ↓
07 / 12

Your microbial profile38 organisms in 7 groups

The 38 microorganisms with the most reliable human evidence, from butyrate producers to mucus degraders, bifidobacteria, sulfur metabolisers, opportunists and gut yeasts. For each one you see its relative abundance, its percentile against our healthy reference cohort and a plain-language interpretation of what that level means for that particular organism.

Sample illustration from the report
Faecalibacterium prausnitziiP58 · Normal
Anaerobutyricum halliiP91 · Very High
BifidobacteriumP4 · Very Low
Mediterraneibacter torquesP86 · Elevated
Methanobrevibacter smithiiP93 · Very High

Seven groups: fiber fermenters · mucus layer & barrier · lactic-acid bacteria · protein, bile acid & sulfur · diet pattern & gas · opportunists · gut yeasts.

See the full profile ↓
08 / 12

Enterotype

Your gut microbiome reflects your long-term eating habits. Certain groups of bacteria become more dominant depending on the foods you eat regularly. On this basis, your microbiome can be assigned to four general dietary patterns. Most people show a combination of these patterns, with one usually more pronounced than the others.

Sample illustration from the report
Plant-Based Foods48%
Well-Balanced26%
Complex Carbohydrates17%
Proteins & Fats9%

Plant-Based Foods, 48%. This pattern reflects a microbiome adapted to breaking down plant-based foods, especially fiber-rich carbohydrates.

09 / 12

Screening of microbial markers

We analyse your microbiome data for the DNA of 29 clinically relevant microorganisms: bacteria, parasites and DNA viruses. These have been linked to gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhoea, bloating, fatigue or imbalance after antibiotic therapy. Many of these microbial signals often go unnoticed, because the symptoms frequently resemble those of common complaints such as irritable bowel syndrome or food intolerances.

Sample illustration from the report
!2 clinically relevant markers detected. The DNA of Adenovirus and Salmonella enterica was found in your sample. The report explains what the detection means and which follow-up is advisable.
Detected (2)
AdenovirusDetected
Salmonella entericaDetected
Screened, not detected (27)
Campylobacter coliCampylobacter jejuniClostridioides difficileCryptosporidium parvumEntamoeba histolyticaGiardia duodenalisHelicobacter pyloriListeria monocytogenesShigellaYersinia enterocoliticaVibrio choleraeTaenia spp.
and 15 more
10 / 12

Fungi

Your gut is home to more than bacteria: yeasts and fungi are part of the ecosystem too. When their balance is disturbed, they can contribute to persistent bloating, sugar cravings, histamine reactions, skin problems or symptoms that get worse after antibiotics. We screen for clinically relevant fungi to distinguish normal colonisation from problematic overgrowth.

Sample illustration from the report
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
BeneficialFood Associated
PresenceCommon in bread, beer, and fermented foods.
InterpretationGenerally harmless and may support gut balance. No action required unless symptoms are present.
Screened, not detected (19)
Aspergillus fumigatusAspergillus nigerCandida albicansCandida glabrataCandida tropicalisMalassezia restricta
and 13 more
11 / 12

Antimicrobial Resistance Genes

Some gut bacteria can carry resistance to common antibiotics, which may explain why earlier treatments did not work as expected. We screen your sample against hundreds of known antimicrobial resistance genes and assign each detected gene to its drug class; the examples below show which commonly prescribed antibiotics this covers. This information helps in choosing the most effective therapy, avoids unnecessary medication and is particularly valuable before surgery, immunosuppressive treatment or in the case of recurring infections.

Sample illustration from the report
!4 resistance genes detected
Drug classGeneStatus
Macrolides erm(B) Detected
Tetracyclines tet(O) Detected
Tetracyclines tet(W) Detected
Tetracyclines tet(M) Detected

Resistance genes make certain bacteria less susceptible to individual antibiotic classes. The report shows drug class, gene and status.

Example antibiotics
AmoxicillinCiprofloxacinCeftriaxoneMeropenemVancomycinAzithromycinTetracyclineTrimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole
12 / 12

Full list of your microorganisms & free report upgrades

You receive the complete list of every microorganism identified in your sample, together with the raw data. And your report does not stand still: we continuously add new analyses, markers and insights, and whenever a new analysis becomes available your existing sequencing data is re-analysed and your report upgraded, free of charge and without a new stool sample.

Included
Full organism listFASTQ files and abundance tablesFree report upgradesNo new sample needed
Microbiome-associated risk assessment

Leaky Gut Syndrome, IBD, colorectal cancer, type 2 diabetes and eleven more risk assessments

For 15 conditions across four areas, we calculate a protection or risk value from your microbiome. Each assessment shows you which bacterial strains are involved and explains what the result means.

Digestive Disorders

8 assessments
  • Colorectal Cancer
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
  • Leaky Gut Syndrome
  • Non-Coeliac Gluten Sensitivity
  • Obesity
  • Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)
  • Type 2 Diabetes

Metabolic & Hormonal

4 assessments
  • Gout
  • Hyperlipidemia & Cholesterol Metabolism
  • Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS, women only)

Neurological & Mental Health

2 assessments
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)
  • Depression & Anxiety

Autoimmune

1 assessment
  • Autoimmune Conditions (atopic eczema, asthma)
How it appears in the report

Each assessment shows a protection or risk value with a bar, the contributing bacterial strains as chips and a one-sentence interpretation. Values up to 35 are neutral and shown in blue. Above 35, green stands for a protective profile and red for an increased risk.

Risk assessment · Digestive DisordersSample illustration
Contributing bacterial strains
Agathobacter rectalisBacteroides fragilisBacteroides stercorisBilophila wadsworthiaAllisonella pneumosintesFusobacterium nucleatumKlebsiella pneumoniaeParvimonas micraPeptostreptococcus anaerobiusRoseburia intestinalis+ 10 more

Risk associated taxa are somewhat more prominent than protective ones, with reduced levels of butyrate producing bacteria and increased microorganisms linked to inflammation.

Contributing bacterial strains
Agathobacter rectalisAkkermansia muciniphilaAlistipes putredinisAnaerobutyricum halliiAnaerostipes hadrusBacteroides fragilisCoprococcus eutactusFaecalibacterium prausnitziiRoseburia intestinalisRuminococcus gnavus+ 17 more

The microbiome is largely balanced with only minor deviations. Protective bacteria are generally present in sufficient amounts.

Contributing bacterial strains
Agathobacter rectalisAggregatibacter segnisAkkermansia muciniphilaAlistipes putredinisAnaerobutyricum halliiBacteroides fragilisBarnesiella intestinihominisBilophila wadsworthiaFaecalibacterium prausnitziiRuminococcus gnavus+ 12 more

Risk associated features outweigh protective ones, including reduced fibre fermenting bacteria and increased microorganisms associated with altered motility and gut sensitivity.

Contributing bacterial strains
Agathobacter rectalisAkkermansia muciniphilaAnaerobutyricum halliiAnaerostipes hadrusBilophila wadsworthiaEscherichia coliFaecalibacterium prausnitziiFusobacterium nucleatumOdoribacter splanchnicusRoseburia intestinalis+ 5 more

The microbial composition is relatively neutral, with a mixture of protective and risk associated features without a clear predominance of either profile.

Contributing bacterial strains
Agathobacter rectalisEscherichia coliFaecalibacterium prausnitziiRuminococcus gnavusBifidobacteriumRoseburiaRuminococcusSuccinivibrio

Noticeable dysbiosis is present, including reduced levels of bacteria that support epithelial barrier integrity and increased microorganisms associated with low-grade inflammation. This pattern may be linked to increased intestinal sensitivity after gluten ingestion.

Contributing bacterial strains
Akkermansia muciniphilaBifidobacterium animalisChristensenella minutaCollinsella aerofaciensDorea formicigeneransDorea longicatenaFaecalibacterium prausnitziiLactobacillus gasseriLimosilactobacillus reuteriMethanobrevibacter smithii+ 7 more

The microbial composition is relatively neutral, with a mixture of protective and less favorable taxa. Certain microbial features may modestly influence metabolic regulation.

Contributing bacterial strains
Desulfovibrio pigerEnterococcus faecalisEnterococcus faeciumMethanobrevibacter smithiiBacteroidesBifidobacteriumButyrivibrioCoprococcusLactobacillusStreptococcus+ 4 more

The microbial composition is relatively neutral, with a mixture of protective and risk associated features and no clear predominance of either pattern.

Contributing bacterial strains
Agathobacter rectalisAkkermansia muciniphilaButyrivibrio crossotusCoprococcus eutactusCollinsella aerofaciensFaecalibacterium prausnitziiMegasphaera elsdeniiRoseburia intestinalisRuminococcus gnavusSegatella copri+ 9 more

The microbial composition is relatively neutral, with a mixture of protective and less favorable taxa. Certain microbial features may modestly influence glucose regulation.

Functional Potential

What your microbiome can do: five functional panels

Here the question shifts from which bacteria live in your gut to what they can actually do. Each panel shows on a traffic-light scale where you stand against the healthy reference population, with a short interpretation and the organisms that shape your score.

Your five panels at a glanceSample illustration from the report

Reflects the activity of microbial fermentation processes that produce gases such as methane and hydrogen sulfide. These influence gut motility, sensitivity and digestive comfort.

Your microbiome shows increased gas-producing activity compared with the healthy reference population. This indicates more active microbial fermentation and may be associated with a greater tendency toward gas formation, depending on diet and individual sensitivity.

What is driving this score
Contributors increasing pressure
M. smithiielevated
D. pigerelevated
7 absent contributors

Shows how closely your microbiome resembles microbial patterns linked to healthy sleep quality and a stable sleep-wake rhythm, for example via short-chain fatty acids, tryptophan metabolites and GABA.

Your microbiome shows a favorable representation of microbial features associated with healthy sleep quality and circadian alignment.

What is driving this score
Positive contributors
C. eutactushigh
F. prausnitziiaverage
B. fragilisnot detected
Negative contributors
C. leptumnot detected
Oscillibacternot detected

Shows how well equipped your microbiome is to produce butyrate: the most important energy source for gut cells, central to the barrier, immune regulation and inflammation balance.

Your microbiome shows a typical representation of bacteria associated with butyrate production. This suggests a balanced capacity for fermentation of dietary fiber.

What is driving this score
Positive contributors
R. intestinalishigh
A. halliihigh
F. prausnitziiaverage
Missing contributors
A. rectalisnot detected
R. hominisnot detected
R. bromiinot detected

Reflects microbial features linked to activation of the immune system, in particular gram-negative bacteria carrying lipopolysaccharides (LPS).

Your microbiome shows lower levels of inflammation-associated microbial signals compared with the healthy reference population. This points to a favorable microbial environment.

What is driving this score
Contributors increasing pressure
D. pigerelevated
18 absent contributors

Shows the share of bacteria that can use components of the mucus layer as a nutrient source. Controlled mucin turnover is normal, excessive activity can put strain on the gut barrier.

Your microbiome shows relatively low representation of bacteria associated with mucin utilisation, suggesting limited microbial reliance on the intestinal mucus layer.

What is driving this score
Contributors increasing pressure
M. torquesaverage
5 absent contributors
Favorable range Notable Elevated P = percentile versus the healthy reference
Your microbial profile

38 organisms in 7 groups, each compared with a healthy cohort

Shotgun sequencing resolves microorganisms down to species level, not just genus or family. The report profiles the 38 organisms with the strongest human evidence: how abundant each one is in your sample, how that compares with healthy people, and what the value means for the group it belongs to.

Your profile at a glanceSample illustration from the report

Each row is one group and each marker one organism, placed at its percentile and coloured by the band it falls into. Markers past the divider are detection-only organisms. Tap a marker to name it.

Fiber-Fermenting Core Species
Mucus Layer & Barrier Interface
Lactic-Acid & Early-Life Bacteria
Protein, Bile Acid & Sulfur Metabolism
Diet-Pattern & Gas-Forming Organisms
Opportunistic Organisms & Pathobionts
Gut Yeasts
010257590100
average (beneficial)average (context)outside typicalmarkedly outsidedetectednot detected

Fiber-Fermenting Core Species

↗ Butyrate Support

The engine room of a healthy colon: they break down the dietary fiber your own enzymes cannot digest and convert it into short-chain fatty acids, above all butyrate, the preferred fuel of the cells lining your large intestine.

Faecalibacterium prausnitziiCore 5

One of the most abundant bacteria in the healthy colon; ferments fiber into butyrate and releases anti-inflammatory molecules.

LOW P58Normal HIGH
4.82%median 3.94%
Agathobacter rectalisCore 5

A major butyrate producer whose abundance tracks fiber intake closely enough to be informative.

LOW P82High HIGH
3.16%median 1.72%
Roseburia intestinalis

Ferments plant cell-wall material such as xylan and β-glucan from oats and rye.

LOW P46Normal HIGH
0.91%median 0.98%
Roseburia hominis

A butyrate producer consistently reduced in ulcerative colitis; absent in roughly a quarter of healthy adults.

LOW n/aNot detected HIGH also absent in 26% of healthy references
0.00%median 0.21%
Anaerobutyricum hallii

A cross-feeder that converts lactate and acetate into butyrate and prevents lactate build-up.

LOW P91Very High HIGH
1.24%median 0.34%
Anaerostipes hadrus

Another lactate-to-butyrate converter, found in the great majority of healthy adults.

LOW P63Normal HIGH
0.77%median 0.58%
Ruminococcus bromii

A keystone species: one of very few gut bacteria able to make the first cut into resistant starch.

LOW P54Normal HIGH
0.62%median 0.55%
Coprococcusgenus

Butyrate and propionate producers repeatedly linked in large population studies to quality of life and mood.

LOW P21Low HIGH
0.18%median 0.44%
BeneficialHigher levels are generally more favourable. Low may be less favourable; very high simply means well represented.
Depends on contextNeither high nor low is automatically good or bad. Read together with diet, symptoms and the rest of the profile.
Concern at higher levelsNormal residents that can become problematic when they expand. Low is unremarkable, never alarming.
Detection onlyToo rare or transient for a percentile to mean anything, so we report presence and how common that is in healthy people.
BIG5 core bacteria

BIG5: five core bacteria at a glance

These five bacterial groups show at a glance how well your gut bacteria produce butyrate and ferment fibre, how they feed each other (cross-feeding), how they interact with the immune system and how the mucus layer is doing. In the report, each group gets the status Low, Normal or High with a short interpretation. All five are also part of the 38-organism profile above.

Faecalibacterium prausnitziiNormalMost important butyrate producer of the core community.
Roseburia spp.NormalFibre fermentation and butyrate via cross-feeding.
Agathobacter rectalisLowFormerly Eubacterium rectale, central to starch breakdown.
Bifidobacterium spp.HighLactic acid, lactate production and early colonisation ecology.
Akkermansia muciniphilaNormalMucus layer and interface with the gut barrier.
In detail

What we screen in addition to your gut flora

We also check your sample for 34 clinically relevant DNA markers of bacteria, parasites and DNA viruses, for yeasts and fungi in a dedicated panel, and for hundreds of antimicrobial resistance genes sorted by drug class. All from the same sequencing.

Bacteria11 markers
CampylobacterSalmonellaShigellaClostridioides difficileKlebsiella oxytocaYersiniaListeriaHelicobacter pyloriVibrioAeromonasPlesiomonas

Detection comes from the same sequencing as your gut flora analysis. A positive finding is confirmed clinically.

Parasites and protozoa10 markers
GiardiaEntamoebaBlastocystisCryptosporidiumCyclosporaAscarisTrichurisTaeniaPinworms

Protozoa and worms, as a detection screening from the stool sample, with no separate submission.

DNA virusesSelection
Adenoviruses

Selected clinically relevant DNA viruses, captured in the same sequencing run.

Beneficial yeasts4 species
Saccharomyces cerevisiaeSaccharomyces boulardiiDebaryomyces hanseniiKluyveromyces marxianus

These yeasts are considered favourable or harmless and often come from food or probiotics.

Candida species4 species
Candida albicansCandida glabrataCandida tropicalisCandida parapsilosis

Candida is present in the gut of many people. The report interprets each detection and distinguishes normal colonisation from overgrowth.

Further yeasts and moulds10 groups
Geotrichum candidumRhodotorula mucilaginosaMalassezia spp.Aspergillus fumigatusAspergillus nigerPenicillium spp.Cladosporium spp.Mucor and RhizopusCryptococcus spp.Trichosporon spp.

Many of these fungi enter the gut via food or the environment and are detectable there temporarily.

The gut is one of the body's largest reservoirs of bacteria. Some microorganisms carry genes that protect them against certain antibiotics. We detect these genes in your sample and assign them to the corresponding drug classes.

The substances below are examples from the drug classes we cover. They are not the full list: your report shows every resistance gene found in your sample, across a much wider range of antibiotics.

Amoxicillin

Widely used first-line antibiotic for ear, throat, respiratory and urinary tract infections.

Ciprofloxacin

Used for urinary tract infections, some gastrointestinal infections and traveller's diarrhoea.

Ceftriaxone

Strong hospital antibiotic for severe pneumonia and complicated abdominal infections.

Meropenem

Reserve antibiotic for life-threatening infections. Resistance is a globally observed issue.

Vancomycin

Used against resistant gram-positive bacteria and for infections with Clostridioides difficile.

Azithromycin

Frequently prescribed for respiratory infections and certain sexually transmitted infections.

Tetracycline

Used for skin conditions, acne and some intestinal infections.

Trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole

Frequently prescribed for urinary tract and gastrointestinal infections.

When this information can be helpful
  • When several courses of antibiotics in a row have achieved little.
  • With recurrent urinary tract or intestinal infections.
  • Before a planned operation or immunosuppressive therapy.
  • After a hospital stay or long-distance travel.
  • If you care for relatives with a weakened immune system.

Resistance genes are part of our standard report. It shows drug class, gene and status so that you can discuss the result with your doctor.

Included in your test kit

Everything you need to collect your sample

The kit arrives as a box with everything you need to collect your sample at home. Afterwards, the tube goes back into the same box and you send it to the laboratory using the prepaid return label. Nothing to buy, nothing to pack and no appointment needed.

bactera.Microbiome 360°
Photo: box with kit contentsPhoto: box with kit contents
What is in the box
  • 1
    Collection tube with stabilising solutionKeeps the DNA in your sample stable in the post, without refrigeration.
  • 2
    Collection aid (Stool Catcher)Placed over the toilet so that collection stays clean and simple.
  • 3
    Illustrated step-by-step instructionsFour steps on one sheet, plus the notes on preparation.
  • 4
    Card with your registration code (Sample ID Card)Use it to link the kit online with your Bactera account.
  • 5
    Hygiene bag (protective bubble wrap)Sealable and padded, for safe transport of the tube.
  • 6
    Prepaid return label on the boxThe same box goes back to the laboratory. Seal it, apply the label, drop it off. Return shipping is included in the price.
The method

Why shotgun shows more than a 16S test

Most gut microbiome tests read a single marker gene or culture only what will grow in the lab. We read the entire DNA of your sample.

 Culture methodCulture (other providers) 16S sequencing16S (other providers) Shotgun metagenomicsShotgun (Bactera)
What is read Some bacteria and fungi A single marker gene The entire DNA of the sample
Resolution A few bacteria Mostly genus level Thousands of species
Viruses No No ✓Yes
Fungi Partly No ✓Yes
Parasites No No ✓Yes, including Giardia, Crypto­sporidium and Entamoeba
Functional genes No No ✓Yes, genes for butyrate, nitrate, mucin and more
Antimicrobial resistance Limited No ✓Yes, hundreds of resistance genes screened
Sequencing depth per sample
Bactera shotgun metagenomics10 millionPaired-end reads per sample. The DNA of all organisms in the sample is read. Deeper sequencing with 25 million reads is available on request.
around 1000 times
Typical 16S testapprox. 10,000Reads per sample, limited to a single marker gene, usually with resolution down to genus level.

The comparison covers only the sequencing depth per sample, i.e. the number of reads analysed. It refers to the analysis method and not to individual providers. More sequencing depth means more DNA analysed per sample.

On request

Beyond the standard report: options for research and specialist questions

The Microbiome 360° Gut report is already complete. For research groups, clinicians and anyone with a specific question, we offer three extensions. You can request them on top of the standard order, and each is quoted individually. Write to us before you order, because the extensions have to be arranged before your sample is sequenced.

Sequencing depth

Deeper sequencing: 25 million paired-end reads

Our standard depth of 10 million paired-end reads is more than sufficient for the full report. On request we sequence your sample at 25 million reads, 2.5 times the data. This is worth considering when the question is about organisms that make up a tiny fraction of the community: more sensitive detection of rare pathogens, parasites and yeasts, more resistance genes recovered at low abundance, and more robust functional-gene profiles. It changes how much we see at the margins, not the report itself.

  • Same kit, same sample, same report structure
  • Must be arranged before the sample is sequenced
  • Longer turnaround, quoted individually
Research use only

Virulence gene analysis

Whether a bacterium can cause disease often depends less on the species than on the toxin and adhesion genes it carries. On request we screen the sequencing data for the virulence-associated genes of the most important intestinal pathogens:

  • Clostridioides difficile: toxin A and B (tcdA, tcdB) and binary toxin (cdtA, cdtB)
  • Enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis (ETBF): fragilysin (bft)
  • Diarrhoeagenic E. coli pathotypes: STEC/EHEC (stx1, stx2, eae, ehxA), EPEC (eae, escV, bfpA), ETEC (estA, eltA/eltB), EIEC/Shigella (ipaH), EAEC (aggR), plus α-hemolysin (hlyA)

Detection of a virulence gene by shotgun sequencing shows that the genetic marker is present in the community. It does not establish a specific pathogenic strain, active expression of the gene or a clinically active infection, and assignment to a particular organism depends on sequencing coverage. Can be run on existing data.

Research use only

Phage analysis

Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria, and they are by far the most numerous viruses in the gut. Because they shape which bacteria thrive, the phage community is an increasingly studied layer of the microbiome: shifts in phage diversity and in the balance between phages and their bacterial hosts have been described in inflammatory bowel disease, after antibiotics and in metabolic conditions. On request we profile the phages in your sequencing data and their diversity.

  • Phage composition and diversity, including crAss-like phages
  • Taxonomic table of the detected phages with their relative abundance
Interested in one of these options?Send us a short description of your question and we will reply with a quote. For deeper sequencing, please contact us before you order the kit.
Request a quote: info@bactera.de
Market position

Among the leading gut microbiome analyses in Europe

Most gut microbiome tests on the German market use 16S sequencing or culture methods. We rely consistently on shotgun metagenomics, the method used in international microbiome research. Here is what that means in numbers.

10 millionPaired-end reads per stool sample

Sequencing depth at the level of international microbiome research, instead of the roughly 10,000 reads of a typical 16S test. Deeper sequencing with 25 million reads is available on request.

1000sMicroorganisms screened per sample

Bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses from the same sequencing run. In your report, 38 relevant organisms are profiled in seven groups and compared with a healthy reference cohort.

100sAntimicrobial resistance genes screened

Part of our standard report and not an add-on module at extra cost.

01Species level instead of genus level

A 16S test usually stops at the genus. We identify the species, and species of the same genus differ considerably in their metabolism.

02Technologically in the leading group

Shotgun metagenomics at species level is the standard that international microbiome research is guided by. In consumer analytics it is one of the few methods used worldwide.

03Analysis in our own pipelines

The bioinformatics runs in our own analysis pipelines in Cologne, at the highest scientific standard. We do not buy in ready-made reports.

04Resistome as a fixed component

Hundreds of antimicrobial resistance genes, assigned to their drug classes, are part of every report. In the German-speaking consumer market this is still the exception.

05Your raw data stays yours

Full organism list, FASTQ files and raw abundances downloadable at any time, and your report is upgraded free of charge as new analyses become available.

06No supplements afterwards

We do not sell you products based on your own results. The report is the product, not the entry into a sales funnel.

This assessment refers to the analysis method used in each case and to publicly available information from providers of gut flora analyses for consumers in the German-speaking region, as of 2026.

Reviews

What our customers say

All reviews are collected through Reviews.io and come exclusively from verified purchases.

Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions about the gut analysis

What is a gut microbiome test and what does it show?

A gut microbiome test examines the microorganisms in your gut from a stool sample. Our test uses shotgun DNA sequencing to read the entire DNA of the sample and identifies bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites down to species level. The report shows species richness, composition, dysbiosis measures, enterotype, functional potential, risk assessments for 15 conditions and a screening for clinically relevant organisms.

What does dysbiosis of the gut flora mean?

Dysbiosis describes an imbalance in the microbial community, for example when protective organisms recede and pressure-associated ones increase. In the report we summarise this through diversity, core organisms, the resilience index and pathobiont pressure.

Why is species richness important?

A species-rich ecosystem has more functional redundancy: several organisms can take on the same task, such as producing butyrate. That makes the community more robust against disruptions. This is why we always read it together with composition and function.

What does the risk assessment show?

From your microbiome signature, the report calculates a protection or risk value for 15 conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer, type 2 diabetes and irritable bowel syndrome. It is a microbiome-based assessment and not a medical diagnosis. Each assessment shows the contributing bacterial strains and a one-sentence interpretation, so you can take it straight into your next consultation.

What is the difference between shotgun sequencing and 16S rRNA?

A 16S test reads a single marker gene, a kind of genetic barcode, and usually gets as far as genus level. Shotgun metagenomics reads the entire DNA of the sample. This gives identification at species level, detection of viruses, fungi and parasites in the same run, and the analysis of functional genes and antibiotic resistance genes. Most lower-priced gut microbiome tests on the German market work with 16S.

Who should take a gut microbiome test?

Adults aged 18 and over who want a detailed picture of their gut flora, want to base their diet on data or want to understand where their gut stands after antibiotic therapy. With persistent complaints, blood in the stool or unintended weight loss, medical evaluation comes first. For children and teenagers, there is a kit version based on their age.

How long does the analysis take?

Usually 4 to 6 weeks after your sample arrives at the laboratory. The reason is the method: shotgun metagenomics generates considerably more data than a 16S test, and this data is then analysed in our own pipelines. You will be notified by email as soon as your report is ready.

How do I collect the sample and what should I keep in mind?

With the tube from the test kit, at home, in a few minutes. Eat as usual in the days before and do not change your diet specifically for the test. Do not collect a sample during an acute gastrointestinal infection. Ideally stop probiotics seven days beforehand, and after a course of antibiotics wait four weeks if possible.

What does the test cost and does health insurance pay for it?

The test costs a one-time €229 including shipping and prepaid return within Germany. It is a self-pay service. Statutory health insurers in Germany generally do not cover the cost of microbiome analyses. Whether a private insurer or a subsidy scheme contributes depends on your plan.

What do free report upgrades mean?

We continuously add new analyses to the report. When a new analysis becomes available, your existing sequencing data is re-analysed and your report is upgraded at no cost, without you sending in a new sample. Your result therefore grows with the state of science. You can object to the storage of your data at any time.