However, so far, most studies have been small and the results for all conditions have been inconsistent.
Of course, this is not a simple transfer of the raw fecal matter.
There are several steps that are completed for make the stool ready for transfer.
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Stool donors must be screened carefully so you can prevent introducing disease or other adverse effects in a recipient.
Risks of DIY Fecal Transplants
The bacterial makeup of stool is extraordinarily complex.
The study of the microbiota is an evolving area of research.
Without testing thats done by scientists in a clinical setting, the contents of any stool cant be known.
There are too many variables that can affect the microbiota.
How Donor Stool Is Selected
The process to become a stool donor is lengthy.
There is then an in-person interview that is completed.
As might be suspected from this long list: many potential donors are excluded.
The rigorous standards result in as few as 3% of stool donors being accepted.
The stool is then filtered to remove anything that doesnt belong, such as undigested food.
There have been adverse events that occur even after all this rigorous testing of donors and of stool.
A second person receiving the same stool was also infected with the bacteria.
The recipients MDRO status is reportedly unknown, but notably, the donor was not screened in advance.
This may have been preventable."
A disruption of normal gut bacteria is thought to be one of the triggers for this response.
So FMT has been studied as a possible treatment for IBD.
Most of the research so far has focused on UC.
There wasn’t enough evidence to draw conclusions about any benefits for CD.
They said more research is needed to establish the benefits and safety of FMT for IBD.
For C. Difficile
Where fecal transplants are sometimes used is in the treatment ofC.
This bacteria is normally found in the colon of healthy people, along with billions of other bacteria.
Sometimes, though, the bacteria makeup can get out of balance.
One area where fecal transplants have been shown to be effective is in treating an infection withC.
In fact, infection withC.
difficilecaused over 29,000 deaths in 2011.
Rebyota and Vowst are approved for the prevention of the recurrence ofC.
diffinfections in adults who have completed antibiotic treatment for recurrentC.
As Dr. Nandi states, “Improperly screened donor stool can transmit infections causing IBD flares.
Its best to reserve this treatment for those who really need it, in a medical setting.
2023;4(4):CD012774.
2017;23(10):1702-1709. doi:10.1097/MIB.0000000000001228
