Fecal Microbiota Transplantation and C. difficile
Quick Facts!
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Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a treatment used for multiple recurrent cases of C. difficile infection (CDI)
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FMT involves introducing a stool sample from a healthy person into the gut of a CDI patient in order to bring in backup for the “good” bacteria trying to fight off C. difficile
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FMT is...
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Effective - it has nearly a 90% cure rate
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Safe - lots of sample and donor screening occurs before transplantation
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More cost-effective (versus prolonged antibiotic treatment)
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Side effects can include cramping, bloating, diarrhea or constipation, and mild abdominal pain.
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Long-term outcomes still need to be researched!
Probiotics, Nutrition, and C. difficile
Quick Facts!
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Probiotics and food can help with antibiotic-associated diarrhea that is caused by C. difficile
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Research suggests that probiotics could be of benefit to CDI patients as well as for the prevention of infection altogether
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Lactobacillus strains can be useful at preventing CDI and S. boulardii could fight off recurrent infection
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Soluble fiber and fermented foods are among the superheroes that can help stabilize gut bacteria
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Use this information to be an empowered patient advocate and to learn more!
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FMT References
1. den Besten G, van Eunen K, Groen AK, Venema K, Reijngoud DJ, Bakker BM. The role of short-chain fatty acids in the interplay between diet, gut microbiota, and host energy metabolism. J Lipid Res. 2013;54(9):2325-40.
2. Pepin J, Alary ME, Valiquette L, Raiche E, Ruel J, Fulop K, et al. Increasing risk of relapse after treatment of Clostridium difficile colitis in Quebec, Canada. Clin Infect Dis. 2005;40(11):1591-7.
3. Song JH, Kim YS. Recurrent Clostridium difficile Infection: Risk Factors, Treatment, and Prevention. Gut Liver. 2019;13(1):16-24.
4. Vindigni SM, Surawicz CM. Fecal Microbiota Transplantation. Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2017;46(1):171-85.
5. Wang JW, Kuo CH, Kuo FC, Wang YK, Hsu WH, Yu FJ, et al. Fecal microbiota transplantation: Review and update. J Formos Med Assoc. 2019;118 Suppl 1:S23-s31.
6. Youngster I, Russell GH, Pindar C, Ziv-Baran T, Sauk J, Hohmann EL. Oral, capsulized, frozen fecal microbiota transplantation for relapsing Clostridium difficile infection. Jama. 2014;312(17):1772-8.
7. Cammarota G, Ianiro G, Gasbarrini A. Fecal microbiota transplantation for the treatment of Clostridium difficile infection: a systematic review. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2014;48(8):693-702.
8. van Nood E, Vrieze A, Nieuwdorp M, Fuentes S, Zoetendal EG, de Vos WM, et al. Duodenal infusion of donor feces for recurrent Clostridium difficile. N Engl J Med. 2013;368(5):407-15.
9. Arbel LT, Hsu E, McNally K. Cost-Effectiveness of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in the Treatment of Recurrent Clostridium Difficile Infection: A Literature Review. Cureus. 2017;9(8):e1599.
10. Gupta A, Khanna S. Fecal Microbiota Transplantation. Jama. 2017;318(1):102.
11. Leshem A, Horesh N, Elinav E. Fecal Microbial Transplantation and Its Potential Application in Cardiometabolic Syndrome. Front Immunol. 2019;10:1341.
Nutrition and Probiotics References
1. Probiotics: What You Need to Know: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health; 2019 [Available from: https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/probiotics-what-you-need-to-know#hed1.
2. Gareau MG, Sherman PM, Walker WA. Probiotics and the gut microbiota in intestinal health and disease. Nature reviews Gastroenterology & hepatology. 2010;7(9):503-14.
3. Evans CT, Johnson S. Prevention of Clostridium difficile Infection With Probiotics. Clin Infect Dis. 2015;60(suppl_2):S122-S8.
4. Pattani R, Palda VA, Hwang SW, Shah PS. Probiotics for the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea and Clostridium difficile infection among hospitalized patients: systematic review and meta-analysis. Open Med. 2013;7(2):e56-67.
5. Tung JM, Dolovich LR, Lee CH. Prevention of Clostridium difficile infection with Saccharomyces boulardii: a systematic review. Canadian journal of gastroenterology = Journal canadien de gastroenterologie. 2009;23(12):817-21.
6. Peng Z, Ling L, Stratton CW, Li C, Polage CR, Wu B, et al. Advances in the diagnosis and treatment of Clostridium difficile infections. Emerg Microbes Infect. 2018;7(1):15.
7. Soliman GA. Dietary Fiber, Atherosclerosis, and Cardiovascular Disease. Nutrients. 2019;11(5).
8. Christiansen S. What to Eat When You Have Clostridium Difficile (C. Diff) 2020 [Available from: https://www.verywellhealth.com/c-diff-diet-4773546#citation-9.