In recent years, there has been a significant breakthrough in the medical field, particularly in the treatment of antibiotic-resistant gastroenteritis, commonly known as Clostridium difficile.

What was once considered a procedure that caused cringes and giggles has now proven to be lifesaving. This bizarre donation is none other than faecal transplantation. A procedure that is now gaining recognition and acknowledgement from medical practitioners across the globe.

What is faecal transplantation?

Faecal transplantation, also known as faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), is a procedure in which faecal matter (stool) is collected, processed and transplanted from a healthy donor into the colon of an infected individual.

The objective of the procedure is to restore the balance of bacteria in the gut of the infected individual with the help of healthy bacteria acquired from a donor.

The procedure

The procedure involves collecting faecal matter from a pre-screened healthy donor.

The faecal matter is then either blended with saline or processed in a centrifuge to extract the bacteria before being transplanted to the colon of the infected individual. The transplant can be administered through different methods, such as orally through a capsule, through a colonoscope, an enema or during surgery.

Why faecal transplantation is necessary

Faecal transplantation is essential in the treatment of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI), a severe bacterial infection that affects the digestive system.

CDI affects individuals who have recently undergone antibiotic therapy, which can disturb the natural balance of bacteria in the gut. The disturbed balance of bacteria leaves an opportunity for the Clostridium difficile bacterium to overgrow, leading to an infection that causes inflammation and severe diarrhoea.

In severe cases, CDI can cause the intestines to rupture, leading to life-threatening complications such as sepsis. Traditional treatment methods such as antibiotics are often unable to curb the infection, leading to numerous recurrent infections.

Faecal transplantation has shown to be an effective treatment for CDI as it replaces the disrupted microbiota with a new balance of healthy bacteria that can better fight the infection.

How effective is faecal transplantation?

The effectiveness of faecal transplantation has been proven in various studies.

A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that faecal transplantation cured 94% of patients with recurrent CDI following a single transplant and 98% after multiple transplants. Another study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation found that faecal transplantation is more effective than antibiotics in treating CDI and restoring intestinal microbiota balance.

Faecal transplantation has also shown promising results in the treatment of other gastrointestinal disorders such as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

However, more research is needed to determine its effectiveness in treating these conditions.

Risks of faecal transplantation

Although faecal transplantation has been proven to be effective, like any medical procedure, it has risks. The potential risks associated with faecal transplantation include:.

Infection transmission: Transplantation of faecal matter can lead to the transfer of various infections and diseases from the donor to the transplant recipient. The donor is screened for potential infections before the transplant is performed to minimize this risk.
Adverse reactions: The transplant recipient may experience adverse reactions such as cramping, bloating, and transient fever. However, these reactions are usually mild and disappear within a few days.
Unknown long-term effects: There is still a lot to learn about the long-term effects of faecal transplantation and its impact on the recipient’s microbiome.

Conclusion

Faecal transplantation may sound bizarre, but there is no denying its effectiveness in treating CDI.

As medical practitioners continue to research the potential benefits of FMT, we may see this procedure being used to treat an array of gastrointestinal disorders in the future.