7.1 Temporal and Sample Variability
The microbiome varies with diet, sleep, stress, exercise, travel, infections, transit, age, and, notably, antibiotics and other medications. Two samples from the same person may differ without error.
7.2 Classification, Coverage, and Reference Bases
Databases are incomplete and biased towards more studied populations and environments. There may be undescribed microorganisms, unclassified sequences, or assignments to a limited taxonomic level. The ability to detect bacteria, archaea, fungi, viruses, or parasites depends on the product, preparation, abundance, depth, and reference; the analysis does not constitute an exhaustive screening of all of them.
7.3 Relative Abundance, Viability, and Function
Proportions are relative estimates and may change because another microorganism changes; they are not absolute counts. Detecting DNA does not prove the microorganism is alive, active, or located in a specific region. An inferred function indicates genetic potential, not expression, measured metabolite, or proven physiological effect.
7.4 Contamination and Detection Limits
Kit material, environment, collection, and laboratory may introduce low-abundance signals. Controls reduce, but do not eliminate, false positives, false negatives, classification errors, batch effects, or loss of scarce microorganisms.
7.5 Associations with Health
Most evidence is observational. An association does not prove a microorganism causes a condition or that modifying it will prevent it. A "normal" result does not rule out disease, and an altered index does not confirm it.
7.6 Potentially Pathogenic Microorganisms
Detection of a microorganism associated in certain contexts with infection does not prove infection, clinically relevant colonization, or the need for treatment. Vivabioma does not perform cultures, antibiograms, clinical confirmation, or active follow-up. Assessment is the responsibility of a professional and may require a specific test.
7.7 Resistome (Ultra)
The resistome identifies genes or fragments associated with resistance in the microbial community. It does not always allow attributing the gene to a species, knowing if it is expressed, if it confers phenotypic resistance, or if the microorganism will cause infection. It is not used for selecting, initiating, discarding, or changing an antibiotic; this requires a diagnosis, an appropriate clinical sample, and an antibiogram when applicable.
7.8 AI Models, Scores, and Predictions (Ultra)
Models compare your profile with reference sets and produce relative indices according to described variables and versions. They do not necessarily calculate an absolute clinical probability nor have they been validated for all ages, populations, countries, or diseases. Biases, uncertainty, and version changes may exist. The output does not determine legal or health decisions, and you may request its review by a member of our team.
7.9 Recommendations, Probiotics, and Supplements (Ultra)
Recommendations are general dietary and lifestyle guidance, not an individualized diet or prescription. They do not guarantee efficacy. Consult a professional first if you have symptoms, digestive disease, special nutritional needs, are pregnant or breastfeeding, are taking medication, are on a prescribed diet, or have had difficulties with eating.
7.10 Third-Party Services and Security
External interpretations may differ and are subject to their own terms. After downloading or sharing information, you control its custody. We apply appropriate measures, but no system can promise absolute security.