GI Stool Testing Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2022 - 2027)

GI Stool Testing Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2022 - 2027)

The GI stool testing market is estimated to register a CAGR of 7.3% during the forecast period (2022-2027).

COVID-19 had affected the GI stool testing market significantly. As per the article published in 2020 under the title “Utility of Stool PCR for the Diagnosis of COVID-19: Comparison of Two Commercial Platforms”, the study showed that Cepheid Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2 (tests with three gene targets (E, N2, and RdRP) for SARS-CoV-2 to enable detection of current and future variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus) and Hologic Panther Fusion assays were likely to be used for the reliable detection of viral RNA in stool specimens, and inclusion of stool PCR in the testing algorithm was anticipated to increase clinical sensitivity. Furthermore, an article published in 2021 under the title “Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on inflammatory bowel disease patients: A review of the current evidence”, stated that the high mortality rate among patients with numerous co-morbidities and the overpopulation of intensive care units were the two main factors that worsened the effects of the disease and ultimately raised the strain on health care systems. Particular concern was expressed in the gastroenterology-related community regarding patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), as these patients are more likely to acquire opportunistic infections as a result of their immunosuppressive-based treatments. Hence as per the factors mentioned above, COVID-19 had a significant impact on the studied market.

The increasing burden of diseases related to the gastrointestinal tract and rising demand for point-of-care tests is expected to fuel the GI stool testing market growth. For instance, as per the artilce published in 2020 under the title "Patient Preferences for Point-of-Care Testing", the survey conducted by the researchers showed people strongly support the development of accurate, in-home devices that produce immediate results that was likely to be used to diagnose, manage, and encourage their adherence to treatments for their medical conditions. Moreover, 93% of respondents believed that point of care treatment (POCT) was anticipated to improve their care, and 56% identified having a POCT in their home as a top priority. Moreoevr, as per the article published in 2021 under the title "POCT in Developing Countries", the main factor that has contributed to POCT's success in developing nations to date has been the use of lateral flow assay strips. Even though, the emerging roles of microfluidics, nanotechnology, and device fabrication is likely to be new avenues and result in the creation of the ideal diagnostic POCT tool in the future.

Furthermore, there is a rising prevalence of colorectal cancer across the globe, which is expected to boost the overall growth of the market over the forecast period. For instance, as per the update from International Agency for Research on Cancer, the estimated number of new cases of colon cancer was 1.15 million in 2020 and this count is expected to rise to 1.82 million by 2040. As per the same source, the incidence of rectum cancer in 2020 was 7,32,210. Thus, this factor can increase the demand for GI stool testing and thereby boost the market growth.

Therefore, as per the facts mentioned above, GI stool testing market is anticipated to grow over the forecast period. However, the high cost of testing instruments restrains the market growth.

Key Market TrendsReagent Segment is Expected to Hold a Major Market Share in the GI Stool Testing Market

Reagents are substances that are often used for examining and analyzing. Reagents are expected to dominate the GI stool testing market with developing diagnostic technology. Chemiluminant assays are used as a diagnostic aid for the detection of gastrointestinal infections. It uses enzyme-labeled antibodies for detection, which is known to give an accurate diagnosis.

Research and development in the field of GI stool testing boost the market growth. For instance, as per the article published in 2022 under the title “Evaluation of Commercial Concentration Methods for Microscopic Diagnosis of Protozoa and Helminths in Human Stool Samples in a Non-Endemic Area”, intestinal parasite infections are still frequently diagnosed by microscopic inspection of stools, which calls for dependable reagents and skilled professionals. The ParaFlo tests (Eurobio Ingen) are ready-to-use concentration techniques for detecting parasite eggs and are likely to enhance reagent traceability and manipulation simplicity. Furthermore, stool testing is also beneficial for the early diagnosis of colon cancer. For instance, as per the article published in 2022 under the heading “A Practical Overview of the Stool DNA Test for Colorectal Cancer Screening”, all significant United States guidelines support the multitarget stool DNA test with fecal immunochemical test (sDNA-FIT) as a possible method for colorectal cancer screening. The Food and Drug Administration has granted it the go-ahead for use in those 45 years of age and older at average risk. The sDNA-FIT examines 11 biomarkers, including human hemoglobin, NDRG4 and BMP3 aberrant methylation, point mutations in KRAS, and NDRG4 and BMP3 point mutations. Hence the adoption of stool testing for various other GI related disease is anticipated to boost the market growth.

As per the factors mentioned above, the reagent segment is expected to grow over the forecast period.

North America is Expected to Hold a Significant Share in the Market and is Expected to Witness the Same in the Forecast Period

North America is expected to hold a significant share in the market and is expected to witness the same in the forecast period owing to the factors such as a higher incidence rate of gastrointestinal diseases like colorectal cancer. For instance, as per the 2020 Globocan report, the incidence of colon cancer in the United States was 102 thousand in 2020 and this count is expected to rise to 141 thousand by 2040.

The presence of competitors, awareness regarding GI diseases, product launches, and acquisitions boosts the market growth in the studied region. For instance, Cross Valley Health & Medicine celebrates National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month each March. Each year, healthcare providers take this month to provide their patients with extra education about diseases of the colon and rectum. In 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended routine colorectal cancer screenings for everyone between the ages of 45 and 75. Hence, the screening procedures and tests are anticipated to fuel the market growth in the studied region. Research and development in the GI stool field in the studied region boosts the market growth. For instance, researchers from the Harvard medical school published an article in 2022 under the title "Rejuvenating the human gut microbiome", encouraging people to save samples of their gut microbiota while they are young and healthy are advisable which helps to combat many of the life style diseases.

Thus, these factors mentioned above are expected to fuel the GI stool testing market growth in the studied region.

Competitive Landscape

Collaborations, mergers, and acquisitions by companies related to GI stool testing are expected to boost market growth. Some of the companies which are currently dominating the GI stool testing market are bioMérieux SA, DiaSorin S.p.A, Cenogenics Corporation, Abbott Laboratories, Epitope Diagnostics Inc., Genova Diagnostics, Danaher Corporation (Beckman Coulter, Inc.), ScheBo Biotech AG, CTKBiotech Inc. Inc., and Cardinal Health.

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