Faecal microbiota in capsule form effectively treat C. difficile, researchers find

Published: 22-Oct-2015

The capsules were well tolerated and resolved C. diff symptoms in 90% of patients


Oral capsules containing frozen faecal material have effectively treated C. difficile infection, a study has found.

The capsules, which include faecal matter harvested from healthy people, were well tolerated and effectively resolved symptoms of C. difficile in 90% of patients.

The research, by Antonio Gasbarrini from the A. Gemelli University Hospital in Rome, Italy, is published in the United European Gastoenterology journal1.

C. diff infection causes severe diarrhoea, intestinal inflammation and cell death. Standard therapy for the infection includes the use of antibiotics, but around one-third of patients who use this treatment will have a recurrent infection and many will have multiple recurrences. The consequences of which can be severe, resulting in life-threatening illness and frequent hospitalisations.

Advances in the preparation and delivery of FMT will lead to its wider acceptance as a safe and effective treatment for C. difficile

 

A recent systematic review of the literature 2 concluded that the introduction of 'healthy' faecal material (FMT) was both effective and safe for the treatment of recurrent C. difficile infection, yet many hospitals have failed to embrace the technique or offer it as a potential treatment option.

The development of the new FMT capsule has raised hopes that this effective treatment for C. difficile and other bowel conditions might soon become mainstream. Professor Gasbarrini believes this oral formulation is a major step forward.

'FMT is an excellent treatment for C. difficile infection, but traditional methods are time-consuming and technically challenging,' he said.

'Advances in the preparation and delivery of FMT will lead to its wider acceptance as a safe and effective treatment for C. difficile infection that could supersede antibiotics.'

Gasbarrini added: 'We are excited by the prospect of capsule formulation and although larger studies are needed to confirm these findings, this research could certainly lead to more widespread use of FMT in the treatment of recurrent C. difficile infection.'

Professor Gasbarrini is scheduled to present his findings at United European Gastroenterology Week in Barcelona, Spain, 24–28 October.

Reference

1. Cammarota G, et al. J Clin Gastroenterol 2014; 48(8):693–702.

2. Youngster I, et al. JAMA 2014;312(17):1772–78

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