Clinical Application and Potential of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation

Annu Rev Med. 2019 Jan 27:70:335-351. doi: 10.1146/annurev-med-111717-122956. Epub 2018 Nov 7.

Abstract

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a well-established treatment for recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection. FMT has become a more readily available and useful new treatment option as a result of stool banks. The current state of knowledge indicates that dysbiosis of the gut microbiota is implicated in several disorders in addition to C. difficile infection. Randomized controlled studies have shown FMT to be somewhat effective in treating ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and hepatic encephalopathy. In addition, FMT has been beneficial in treating several other conditions, such as the eradication of multidrug-resistant organisms and graft-versus-host disease. We expect that FMT will soon be implemented as a treatment strategy for several new indications, although further studies are needed.

Keywords: infection; CDI; FMT; IBD; IBS; fecal microbiota transplantation; hepatic encephalopathy; inflammatory bowel disease; irritable bowel syndrome.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Clostridium Infections / diagnosis
  • Clostridium Infections / therapy*
  • Fecal Microbiota Transplantation / methods*
  • Fecal Microbiota Transplantation / trends
  • Female
  • Forecasting
  • Humans
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome / therapy*
  • Male
  • Patient Safety
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Risk Assessment
  • Treatment Outcome