Letter to the Editor

Use of Standard Donors in Fecal Microbiotal Transplants

Authors: Xiao Jing Wang, MD, Colleen S. Kraft, MD, Tanvi Dhere, MD

Abstract

To the Editor: Recurrent Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a growing epidemic with high recurrence rates after antibiotic treatment. Because of the limited number of medications available, alternative therapies such as fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) are being closely studied for their role in the treatment of CDI. A systematic review of 27 case series and case reports has reported a 92% cure rate with the use of FMT for patients with recurrent CDI or pseudomembranous colitis with minimal adverse effects.1

This content is limited to qualifying members.

Existing members, please login first

If you have an existing account please login now to access this article or view purchase options.

Purchase only this article ($25)

Create a free account, then purchase this article to download or access it online for 24 hours.

Purchase an SMJ online subscription ($75)

Create a free account, then purchase a subscription to get complete access to all articles for a full year.

Purchase a membership plan (fees vary)

Premium members can access all articles plus recieve many more benefits. View all membership plans and benefit packages.

References

1. Brandt LJ, Aroniadis OC, Mellow M, et al. Long-term follow-up of colonoscopic fecal microbiota transplant for recurrent Clostridium difficile infection. Am J Gastroenterol 2012;107:1079-1087.
 
2. US Food and Drug Administration. Draft guidance for industry: enforcement policy regarding investigational new drug requirements for use of fecal microbiota for transplantation to treat Clostridium difficile infection not responsive to standard therapies. http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/Guidances/Vaccine/ucm387023.pdf. Published March 2014. Accessed December 3, 2014.
 
3. Zipursky JS, Sidorsky TI, Freedman CA, et al. Patient attitudes toward the use of fecal microbiota transplantation in the treatment of recurrent Clostridium difficile infection. Clin Infect Dis 2012;55:1652-1658.
 
4. Friedman-Moraco RJ, Mehta AK, Lyon GM, et al. Fecal microbiota transplantation for refractory Clostridium difficile colitis in solid organ transplant recipients. Am J Transplant 2014;14:477-480.