Fecal microbiota transplantation through colonoscopy in the treatment of recurrent Clostridioides difficile: Experience at a university center

Introduction

The majority of cases of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) respond to antibiotic treatment. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been accepted as an effective treatment in cases of recurrent CDI.

Aim

Our aim was to describe the clinical results of FMT performed for the treatment of recurrent CDI.

Material and methods

The study was conducted on patients with recurrent CDI treated with FMT through colonoscopy, within the time frame of January 2021 and December 2023. Demographic and clinical data were collected, including pre-FMT treatment data, the FMT success rate, and clinical progression during follow-up. Telephone surveys were carried out to evaluate satisfaction.

Results

Thirteen patients with a mean age of 55 years underwent FMT (including 7 patients above 65 years of age and one pregnant woman). Patients presented with a median of 3 previous episodes of CDI (range 2-4). The median time interval from first episode of CDI to FMT was 4 months (range 3-10). The effectiveness of a single FMT session was 100%. During post-FMT follow-up (median of 11 months, range 3-32), 3 patients have presented with a new CDI episode, and a successful second FMT was performed on 2 of them. No adverse events were registered, and all patients had a positive perception of FMT.

Conclusions

In the present study, despite its small size, FMT through colonoscopy was shown to be a safe, effective, and lasting therapy in cases of recurrent CDI, concurring with results from larger studies.