Fecal microbiota transplantation is an effective rescue therapy for refractory inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract

Increasing evidence has indicated the potential role of fecal micobiota transplantation (FMT) to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, the protocol of FMT preparation has not been standardized. Importantly, the literature of using FMT to treat IBD is very limited. Therefore, we aimed to establish standardized laboratory protocol and clinical work flow, including donor identification, purification of fecal microbiota, bank of frozen fecal microbiota, endoscopic infusion procedures, patient preparation and clinical evaluation system. A novel automatic system (GenFMTer) was designed and developed for preparation of fecal microbiota from feces. The results from our registered trials (NCT01790061, NCT01793831) demonstrated the rescue therapy role of FMT for refractory IBD. A recent study reported that single FMT through mid-gut might be a safe, feasible and effective for Crohn’s disease.