Fecal Microbiota Transplant for Relapsing Clostridium difficile Infection Using a Frozen Inoculum From Unrelated Donors: A Randomized, Open-Label, Controlled Pilot Study
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Youngster, I.; Sauk, J.; Pindar, C.; Wilson, R. G.; Kaplan, J. L.; Russell, G. H.; Hohmann, E. L.; Smith, Mark Burnham; Alm, Eric J; Gevers, Dirk; ... Show more Show less
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Fecal microbiota transplant is increasingly used to treat recurrent or relapsing Clostridium difficile infection. In this randomized controlled study, using a frozen inoculum from unrelated donors was safe and effective, whether administered by nasogastric tube or by colonoscopy.
Background. Recurrent Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) with poor response to standard antimicrobial therapy is a growing medical concern. We aimed to investigate the outcomes of fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) for relapsing CDI using a frozen suspension from unrelated donors, comparing colonoscopic and nasogastric tube (NGT) administration.
Methods. Healthy volunteer donors were screened and a frozen fecal suspension was generated. Patients with relapsing/refractory CDI were randomized to receive an infusion of donor stools by colonoscopy or NGT. The primary endpoint was clinical resolution of diarrhea without relapse after 8 weeks. The secondary endpoint was self-reported health score using standardized questionnaires.
Results. A total of 20 patients were enrolled, 10 in each treatment arm. Patients had a median of 4 (range, 2–16) relapses prior to study enrollment, with 5 (range, 3–15) antibiotic treatment failures. Resolution of diarrhea was achieved in 14 patients (70%) after a single FMT (8 of 10 in the colonoscopy group and 6 of 10 in the NGT group). Five patients were retreated, with 4 obtaining cure, resulting in an overall cure rate of 90%. Daily number of bowel movements changed from a median of 7 (interquartile range [IQR], 5–10) the day prior to FMT to 2 (IQR, 1–2) after the infusion. Self-ranked health score improved significantly, from a median of 4 (IQR, 2–6) before transplant to 8 (IQR, 5–9) after transplant. No serious or unexpected adverse events occurred.
Conclusions. In our initial feasibility study, FMT using a frozen inoculum from unrelated donors is effective in treating relapsing CDI. NGT administration appears to be as effective as colonoscopic administration.
Clinical Trials Registration. NCT01704937.
Date issued
2014-04Department
Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard; Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Biological EngineeringJournal
Clinical Infectious Diseases
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Citation
Youngster, I.; Sauk, J.; Pindar, C.; Wilson, R. G.; Kaplan, J. L.; Smith, M. B.; Alm, E. J.; Gevers, D.; Russell, G. H. and Hohmann, E. L. “Fecal Microbiota Transplant for Relapsing Clostridium Difficile Infection Using a Frozen Inoculum From Unrelated Donors: A Randomized, Open-Label, Controlled Pilot Study.” Clinical Infectious Diseases 58, no. 11 (April 2014): 1515–1522.
Version: Author's final manuscript
ISSN
1058-4838
1537-6591