Stool transplants are now standard of care for recurrent C. difficile infections

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), also known as stool transplantation, is a procedure in which stool from a healthy donor is placed into the gut of a patient in order to treat a certain disease. FMT is not a new concept, but in the last six years it has become a standard-of-care therapy for the treatment of recurrent Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). Treating infection with C. difficile Clostridium difficile (C. diff) is a bacterium that is ever-present in our environment. Many people have C. diff in their bodies without issue; it is not the bacteria itself that makes you sick. However, under certain conditions, the bacteria release toxins, and it is the toxin that causes disease. A person with a CDI may experience watery diarrhea and abdominal cramping. In severe cases, infection can cause dehydration, require hospitalization, and be life-threatening. The main risk factor for CDI is taking antibiotics, which is why doctors discourage unnecessary antibiotic use. Ironically, first-line treatment for CDI is also antibiotics. About 20% of people treated with antibiotics will develop recurrent infections, and the best way of clearing recurrent CDI is with FMT. This is supported by several guidelines. The reason why FMT works so well is largely unknown, but generally speaking it restores important helpful bacteria that help protect against CDI. But while supported by guidelines, FMT is still considered investigational and is not currently FDA-approved. However, FMT can ...
Source: Harvard Health Blog - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Health Infectious diseases Tests and procedures Source Type: blogs