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Oral, frozen FMT capsules treated diarrhea linked to recurrent CDI
Patients with recurrent Clostridium difficile infection achieved resolution of diarrhea with no serious treatment-related adverse events with orally administered frozen fecal microbiota transplantation capsules, according to data presented at IDWeek 2014.
“The main importance of our study is that we have eliminated the need for invasive procedures and made it easier, safer and more accessible to patient,” study researcher Ilan Youngster, MD, MMSc, fellow in pediatric infectious diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital and Boston Children’s Hospital, told Healio.com/Gastroenterology.
Ilan Youngster
“Numerous reports have shown that [fecal microbiota transplantation] is effective in treating active C. difficile infection and preventing recurrences in patients whose infections failed to respond to standard treatments,” Youngster said in a press release. “The procedures that have been used before — colonoscopies, nasogastric tubes, even enemas — all have potential risks and discomforts for patients. The use of capsules simplifies the procedure immensely, potentially making it accessible to a greater population.”
After 6 months of follow up, no FMT-related adverse events were observed, and 70% (95% CI, 47-85) of patients had resolution of diarrhea after a single FMT and remained symptom-free after 8 weeks. Four of six retreated nonresponders achieved resolution of diarrhea, resulting in a 90% (95% CI, 68-98) overall clinical resolution rate.
Elizabeth Hohmann
“This small investigation was designed to be a pilot study and provides preliminary data supporting the safety and effectiveness of this approach,” study researcher Elizabeth Hohmann, MD, division of infectious diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital and associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, said in the press release. “More experience and larger studies are needed to determine the long-term safety and efficacy, and further investigation should help determine the most effective microbial mixes for either oral or procedural administration.” – by Adam Leitenberger
For more information:
Youngster I. Abstract 1798. Presented at: IDWeek; Oct. 8-12, 2014; Philadelphia.
Youngster I. JAMA. 2014;doi:10.1001/jama.2014.13875.
Disclosure: Hohmann is the recipient of a sponsored research award from Seres Health.