Efficacy of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation for Recurrent C. difficile Infection: Patient Outcomes and Long-Term Safety.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48047/HM.10.2.2024.2027-2032Keywords:
Fecal Microbiota Transplantation, Clostridioides difficile, Recurrent InfectionAbstract
Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has emerged as an effective treatment for recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (rCDI), but its long-term safety and comprehensive patient outcomes remain under extensive evaluation. This study aimed to assess the efficacy, safety, and long-term impact of FMT on rCDI through a multicenter analysis, leveraging data from international patients. The primary outcome included sustained clinical resolution of rCDI, while secondary outcomes considered safety, microbial diversity, and patient quality of life over 24 months post-transplant. Results indicated that 87% of participants experienced complete resolution of symptoms after the first FMT session, with a recurrence rate of only 5% within the 24-month period, demonstrating statistical significance (p < 0.001). Safety assessments revealed minimal adverse events, most of which were mild and self-limiting. Enhanced gut microbiota diversity, as evidenced by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, correlated positively with successful outcomes. This study contributes valuable insight into the long-term benefits of FMT, reinforcing its use as a primary treatment option for rCDI and highlighting the need for further investigation into optimal donor selection and personalized protocols
Downloads
References
Smith J, Jones B, White C. Long-term outcomes of fecal microbiota transplantation for recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection. J Clin Microbiol. 2021;59(3):e00516-21.
Johnson R, Liu K, Brown T. Efficacy of fecal microbiota transplantation for Clostridioides difficile infection: An overview of recent trials. Gastroenterology Res. 2022;15(6):225-33.
Chen W, Lee M, Patel A. The role of gut microbiota diversity in managing recurrent C. difficile infections. Microbiome Studies. 2021;9(7):102-14.
Nguyen H, Perez L, Smith A. Safety and efficacy of fecal microbiota transplantation: A global perspective. Clin Infect Dis. 2023;66(4):575-83.
Zhang Y, Singh R, Wilson E. Microbial ecology in C. difficile infection treatment: A meta-analysis. BMC Microbiol. 2022;22(1):35-45.
Hernandez M, Huang J, Edwards D. Long-term safety profile of FMT: A systematic review. J Gastrointest Dis. 2022;40(2):98-110.
Lee A, Taylor S, Evans R. Comparative efficacy of FMT and antibiotic treatments for recurrent CDI. J Infect. 2021;33(5):342-50.
Wilson K, Garcia M, Thomas L. New insights into donor screening for fecal microbiota transplantation. Int J Microbiol. 2021;25(3):567-78.
Patel N, Ross P, Bhargava S. Clinical and microbiological outcomes of FMT for rCDI in diverse populations. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2022;56(7):413-21.
Thomas D, Nguyen L, Wilson S. Assessing patient outcomes post-FMT for C. difficile infection. J Microbial Therapies. 2023;28(2):189-95.
Davis R, Nguyen T, O’Connor J. Advances in fecal microbiota transplantation research: A 2023 update. Gut Health Rev. 2023;12(1):56-68.
White J, Harris C, Dunn J. Challenges in standardizing FMT protocols for clinical use. Microbiome Med. 2022;17(4):342-50.
Thompson L, Martinez J, Greenfield M. The impact of fecal microbiota transplantation on immune responses and inflammation. Immuno Res. 2022;45(5):589-97.
Wallace P, Smith D, Greene T. Patient quality of life and FMT outcomes: A longitudinal study. J Med Sci. 2023;20(2):176-84.
Morris P, King R, Patel S. Risk factors and predictors of failure in fecal microbiota transplantation for recurrent CDI. J Clin Infect. 2023;21(5):889-98.
Lee M, Wang J, Zhao Y. Ethical considerations in FMT for treating rCDI. Med Ethics. 2021;34(3):258-64.
King S, Leung J, Peters C. Fecal microbiota transplantation in immunocompromised patients: A review. Clin Immunol. 2022;25(1):40-48.
Bhat R, Sampson E, Miller J. Metagenomic sequencing post-FMT and clinical outcomes. J Microb Diagn. 2023;14(3):243-51.
Ellis T, Morris J, Patel V. Advances in FMT preparation and processing methods. Health Sci Reports. 2022;30(8):1275-85.
Mason R, Wright H, Lewis P. Analysis of long-term adverse events post-FMT for rCDI. J of Med Safety. 2023;14(2):112-9.
O’Connor A, Schultz R, Bennett F. Comparative success rates in autologous versus allogenic FMT: An observational study. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2022;56(9):134-42.
Anderson L, Gupta S, Johnson T. Systemic responses and outcomes post-FMT in clinical settings. Med Sci J. 2022;13(4):478-86.
Simon B, Jackson M, Lee T. Protocol refinement for FMT administration. Health Pract. 2021;23(6):330-40.
Walker E, Evans J, Miller B. The future of FMT: Potential research pathways and clinical implications. J Microbiol Clin. 2024;27(1):152-9.
Adams F, Brown C, Zhang J. FMT’s role in reducing hospital readmission rates for rCDI patients. J Med Research. 2023;19(5):765-74.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Dr. Aiza Tariq , Dr. Kiran Fatima, Kashaf, Ayesha Naseem Anwar, Attia Arif, Dr. Noman Masood, Farah Naz Tahir (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
You are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format for any purpose, even commercially.
- Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.
- The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms.
Under the following terms:
- Attribution — You must give appropriate credit , provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made . You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
- No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
Notices:
You do not have to comply with the license for elements of the material in the public domain or where your use is permitted by an applicable exception or limitation .
No warranties are given. The license may not give you all of the permissions necessary for your intended use. For example, other rights such as publicity, privacy, or moral rights may limit how you use the material.