Marker Guide
Ammonia (urease)-producing microbes
What this marker measures
The microbial enzyme urease breaks down urea, a nitrogen waste product produced by the liver from the breakdown of protein, into ammonia. This may be relevant where more urea reaches the gut, such as when reduced kidney function limits urea excretion.
This marker is included to provide additional exploratory context; however, the clinical significance is not yet well established and the evidence base is less developed than for Microba’s core microbial markers. It should be interpreted with caution alongside the broader report and clinical picture.
Research Use Only
The microbial enzyme urease breaks down the compound urea, a nitrogen waste product created by the body, into ammonia. The role of gut bacteria that produce the enzyme urease is currently not well understood.
