Fecal microbiota transplant: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

P Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) helps to replace some of the "bad" bacteria of your colon with "good" bacteria. The procedure helps to restore the good bacteria that has been killed off or limited by the use of antibiotics. Restoring this balance in the colon makes it easier to fight infection.

T Description
P FMT involves collecting stool from a healthy donor. Your provider will ask you to identify a donor. Most people choose a family member or close friend. The donor must not have used antibiotics for the previous 3 months. They will be screened for any infections in the blood or stool.
P Once collected, the donor's stool is mixed with saline water and filtered. The stool mixture is then transferred into your digestive tract (colon) through a tube that goes through a colonoscope (a thin, flexible tube with a small camera).

T Why the Procedure is Performed
P The large intestine has a large number of bacteria. These bacteria that live in your intestines are important for your health, and grow in a balanced manner.
P One of these bacteria is called C difficile. In small amounts, it does not cause problems.
- However, if a person receives repeated or high doses of antibiotics for an infection elsewhere in the body, most of the normal bacteria in the intestine may be wiped out. bacteria grow and release a toxin.
- The result may be that too much of the C difficile
- This toxin causes the lining of large intestine to become swollen and inflamed, causing fever, diarrhea, and bleeding.
P Certain other antibiotics can sometimes bring the C difficile bacteria under control. If these do not succeed, FMT is used to replace some of the C difficile with "good" bacteria and restore the balance.
P FMT also may be used to treat conditions such as:
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Crohn disease
- Constipation
- Ulcerative colitis
P Treatment of conditions other than recurrent C difficile colitis are considered experimental at present and are not widely used or known to be effective.

T Risks
P Risks of FMT may include the following:
- Reactions to the medicine you are given during the procedure
- Heavy or ongoing bleeding during the procedure
- Breathing problems
- Spread of disease from the donor (if the donor is not screened properly, which is rare)
- Infection during colonoscopy (very rare)
- Blood clots (very rare)

T Before the Procedure
P The donor will likely take a laxative the night before the procedure so they can have a bowel movement the next morning. They will collect a stool sample in a clean cup and bring it with them the day of the procedure.
P Talk to your provider about any allergies and all medicines you are taking. DO NOT stop taking any medicine without talking to your provider. You will need to stop taking any antibiotics for 2 to 3 days before the procedure.
P You may need to follow a liquid diet. You may be asked to take laxatives the night before the procedure. You will need to prepare for a colonoscopy the night before FMT. Your doctor will give you instructions.
P Before the procedure, you'll be given medicines to make you sleepy so that you won't feel any discomfort or have any memory of the test.

T After the Procedure
P You will lie on your side for about 2 hours after the procedure with the solution in your bowels. You may be given loperamide (Imodium) to help slow down your bowels so the solution remains in place during this time.
P You will go home the same day of the procedure once you pass the stool mixture. You will need a ride home, so be sure to arrange it ahead of time. You should avoid driving, drinking alcohol, or any heavy lifting.
P You may have a low-grade fever the night after the procedure. You may have bloating, gas, flatulence, and constipation for a few days after the procedure.
P Your provider will instruct you about the type of diet and medicines you need to take after the procedure.

T Outlook (Prognosis)
P This life-saving treatment is highly safe, effective and, low cost. FMT helps by bringing back normal flora through donor stool. This in turn helps in the recovery of your normal bowel function and health.

T Alternative Names
P Fecal bacteriotherapy; Stool transplant; Fecal transplant; C. difficile colitis - fecal transplant; Clostridium difficile - fecal transplant; Pseudomembranous colitis - fecal transplant

T References
P Ferri FF. Clostridium difficile infection. In: Ferri FF, ed. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2017. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:299-300.
P Mahmoud NN, Bleier JIS, Aarons CB, Paulson EC, Shanmugan S, Fry RD. Colon and rectum. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 20th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 51.
P Rao K, Safdar N. Fecal microbiota transplantation for the treatment of Clostridium difficile infection. J Hosp Med. 2016;11(1):56-61. PMID:26344412 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26344412.
P Surawicz CM, Brandt LJ. Probiotics and fecal microbiota transplantation. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 130.

T Review Date 12/8/2016
P Updated by: Michael M. Phillips, MD, Clinical Professor of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

