Microba Life Sciences (ASX:MAP) said that studies of its MetaPanel gastrointestinal pathogen test found that 40% of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients tested positive for gastrointestinal pathogens, and over 60% of the pathogens would have been missed using standard diagnostic methods, according to a Tuesday statement by the company.

MetaPanel was designed to identify pathogens not detected by conventional tests to help clinicians avoid unnecessary treatments, reduce treatment failures, and minimize the need for surgery, the company said.