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What is a faecal transplant?
Thanks for asking.
Faecal transplant, also known as faecal microbiota transplant or FMT, is the transfer of stool from a healthy donor to a patient with a disease.
The idea is to restore the balance of bacteria in the gut, which can be disrupted by factors such as antibiotics, diet or infection, but it could potentially help with a range of problems, from irritable bowel syndrome to Alzheimer's.
Why is faecal transplant used?
One of the main uses of FMT is to treat recurrent Clostriodes difficile infection, or C diff for short.
C. diff is a type of bacteria that can cause severe diarrhoea, fever and abdominal pain.
It can be life-threatening, especially in elderly or immunocompromised patients.
A C diff infection is usually treated with antibiotics, but in some cases the infection can come back or resist treatment.
That's where FMT comes in.
How does faecal transplant work?
FMT has been shown to have a cure rate of over 90 for C diff, compared to about 30 with antibiotics.
FMT works by introducing healthy bacteria from the donor stool into the patient's colon, where they can out-compete and suppress the growth of C diff.
FMT can also help restore the diversity and function of the gut microbiome, which is important for digestion, immunity and overall health.
How is faecal transplant performed?
Well, there are different methods, but the most common one is by colonoscopy.
A gastroenterologist inserts a tube into the colon via the rectum, then delivers a liquid solution containing donor stool into the colon.
The procedure takes about an hour and is usually done under sedation.
Other methods include using a tube through the nose that reach into the small intestine, or using capsules that contain freeze-dried stool.
These methods may be less invasive or more convenient than colonoscopy, but may also have lower efficiency or higher risk of adverse effects.
What are the risks of faecal transplant?
While FMT is generally considered safe, there are some potential complications.
Most common ones are mild gastroenteritis symptoms such as bloating, cramping or diarrhoea.
These usually resolve within a week after the procedure.
Needless to say, donor stool are screened for diseases such as HIV, hepatitis and parasites.
Currently, trials are being carried out in a wide range of areas to see what else FMT could be used for, including inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome obesity diabetes arthritis, skin cancer, autoimmune disease Alzheimer's, bipolar disorder, hair loss, depression and recurrent urinary tract infections, amongst many others.
There you have it.
Now you know what a faecal transplant is.
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