Evaluation of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation and its Therapeutic Potential in Recurrent Clostridium Difficile Infection
Faculty Mentor
Xinyi Huang
Major/Area of Research
Sicence - Research, Pharmacy
Description
INTRODUCTION: Clostridioides difficile, previously known as Clostridium difficile, a bacterium that causes diarrhea and colitis that can be life threatening, is estimated to cause approximately half a million illnesses in the United States each year, which account for 29,300 deaths per year. The recurrence rate of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) continues to increase with recurrent CDI (rCDI) occurring within eight weeks of a previous episode of CDI. Approximately 15% to 30% of patients who respond to antimicrobial therapy experience rCDI. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), a procedure in which fecal matter from a healthy donor is transferred to a patient, helps restore gut microbiome balance and has shown positive results for treating rCDI. We aimed to assess whether FMT is more effective than other treatment options for CDI.
METHODS: A literature review was conducted using PubMed databases. Key search terms include “fecal microbiota transplantation” and “recurrent clostridium difficile”, applying filters to include studies from the last 10 years, randomized controlled trials, and free full text articles.
Inclusion Criteria: clinical outcomes, FMT, rCDI, English language, and human study
Exclusion Criteria: primary CDI, no medical use or no clinical use, and treatments that are not considered first-line agents for rCDI
Primary Endpoints: Combined Clinical Resolution & Negative CD Test at Week 8
Secondary Endpoints: (1) Clinical Resolution at Week 8 (2) Negative CD Test at Week 8
CONCLUSION: FMT has emerged as a highly effective, safe, and cost-effective treatment option for rCDI with a success rate around 90% as compared to the standard of care antibiotics.3 The 21 reviewed studies indicate that FMT leads to significantly lower recurrence rates compared to standard antibiotic therapy, likely due to its ability to restore gut microbiota composition and function, and also had better outcomes as compared to other treatment options. FMT can be administered via colonoscopy, oral capsules, nasojejunal tube, autologous transplantation, or donor-derived methods, all of which have shown benefits. While FMT holds significant therapeutic promise, further research is needed to refine protocols, assess long-term microbiome restoration, and develop standardized clinical guidelines. This research examined the therapeutic potential of FMT relative to first-line treatment options for rCDI. Further research is needed to determine FMT’s role in therapy compared to newer agents such as bezlotoxumab and Rebyota.
Evaluation of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation and its Therapeutic Potential in Recurrent Clostridium Difficile Infection
INTRODUCTION: Clostridioides difficile, previously known as Clostridium difficile, a bacterium that causes diarrhea and colitis that can be life threatening, is estimated to cause approximately half a million illnesses in the United States each year, which account for 29,300 deaths per year. The recurrence rate of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) continues to increase with recurrent CDI (rCDI) occurring within eight weeks of a previous episode of CDI. Approximately 15% to 30% of patients who respond to antimicrobial therapy experience rCDI. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), a procedure in which fecal matter from a healthy donor is transferred to a patient, helps restore gut microbiome balance and has shown positive results for treating rCDI. We aimed to assess whether FMT is more effective than other treatment options for CDI.
METHODS: A literature review was conducted using PubMed databases. Key search terms include “fecal microbiota transplantation” and “recurrent clostridium difficile”, applying filters to include studies from the last 10 years, randomized controlled trials, and free full text articles.
Inclusion Criteria: clinical outcomes, FMT, rCDI, English language, and human study
Exclusion Criteria: primary CDI, no medical use or no clinical use, and treatments that are not considered first-line agents for rCDI
Primary Endpoints: Combined Clinical Resolution & Negative CD Test at Week 8
Secondary Endpoints: (1) Clinical Resolution at Week 8 (2) Negative CD Test at Week 8
CONCLUSION: FMT has emerged as a highly effective, safe, and cost-effective treatment option for rCDI with a success rate around 90% as compared to the standard of care antibiotics.3 The 21 reviewed studies indicate that FMT leads to significantly lower recurrence rates compared to standard antibiotic therapy, likely due to its ability to restore gut microbiota composition and function, and also had better outcomes as compared to other treatment options. FMT can be administered via colonoscopy, oral capsules, nasojejunal tube, autologous transplantation, or donor-derived methods, all of which have shown benefits. While FMT holds significant therapeutic promise, further research is needed to refine protocols, assess long-term microbiome restoration, and develop standardized clinical guidelines. This research examined the therapeutic potential of FMT relative to first-line treatment options for rCDI. Further research is needed to determine FMT’s role in therapy compared to newer agents such as bezlotoxumab and Rebyota.