Fecal microbiota transfer is an effective long-term treatment for recurrent Clostridium difficile infection, according to a study in United European Gastroenterology.
Researchers examined 39 patients treated with FMT for recurrent C. diff infection at an academic medical center between July 2010 and January 2016. They collected information on FMT-related complications, recurrent C. diff and short-and long-term adverse events via telephone interviews using a questionnaire. The follow-up period ranged between three months and 68 months.
Here are five insights:
1. The primary cure rate — no recurrence of C. diff within eight weeks after one infusion with donor feces — was 82 percent.
2. Of the remaining seven patients with recurrent C. diff after FMT, antibiotic therapy alone cured four patients and repeat FMT cured three patients.
3. Perioperative complications occurred in five patients, including fecal regurgitation or vomiting.
4. One patient died one week after FMT due to pneumonia. Researchers could not exclude this incident's relation with FMT.
5. No long-term side effects were reported.