What is the C Diff ‘fecal transplant’ therapy?
Because some people suffer chronic c difficile doctors are using a new therapy to dislodge the disruptive c diff from their intestine. Fecal matter from a family member is often sought so that the material entering their system is reflective of local stomach flora. This is then turned into a liquid slurry and inserted into the body to colonise the intestine. This therapy is sometimes known as Fecal Microbiota Transplant (FMT)
Time will tell whether this then introduces a new balance in the intestine and returns to the system bacteria depleted by antibiotic treatment, which in normal circumstances would combat the c diff anyway. It is by no means clear as yet exactly how the cure takes place in specific biological terms – but the general theory that recolonizing the colon with healthy bacteria will reverse the c difficile seems to be true. Some research indicates that the reintroduction of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes elements are part of the cure.
The fecal matter is inserted into the intestine in one of 3 ways. Via a duodenal tube, a rectal tube or colonoscopy. The colonoscopy is favoured as the whole of the colon can be recolonized and the extent of the infection can be clarified during the process. The cure may happen within hours or a few days.
This is a not a new therapy, but it has been a rare one until the recent mushrooming of c difficile infections. It has not gone to widespread clinical trials yet although some are planned, with one underway in Norway. There is extensive anecdotal evidence however and you can find several articles on this site by clicking here .
Success rates of 97% have been noted and those for whom it does not work are often those with severe colitis. Overall a cure rate of 89% in 275 cases from a round the world has been noted. Initial research also suggest that a small minority who have further c diff infections have been reinfected from another source
What is C Diff?
What are the symptoms of C Diff?
How is C Diff treated?
How is C Diff diagnosed?
How does C Difficile make you ill
Why do some people have recurring C Diff infection
How can C diff be prevented
What is the C Diff ‘fecal transplant’ therapy
Is C Difficile contagious?
What is C Difficile colitis
What are C Difficile toxins
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Could you please inform me of a doctor in the Birmingham or Nashville area that will perform fecal transplants? My daughter is very ill with C diff and the usual medicines have not eliminated her problem. She has been dealing with C diff for four years. Thanks.
Gilbert, there is a Dr. in Athens, AL named Dr. Mohummad he is in the Athens Internal Med clinic. He has successfully completed a transplant with 100% success. Hope this helps. I am a cdiff sufferer and hope to take part in this procedure in the near future.
I have a friend who has had several bouts with c.diff over the past three years. Most recently after a surgery it has shown up again. Am in Northern Ohio. Have seen articles that a study was done by the University of Toledo Medical Center in conjunction with Case Western and others regarding FMT’s. The antibiotics are terrible and she would like to attempt the transplant. Any doctors in our area seem clueless when it comes to this. She is willing to travel but if being done in our area, could anyone relay information as to who and/or what facility to contact. Have tried directly and even spoke to some Doctors at UTMC…led nowhere… Any help or information would be greatly appreciated!
could you please notify me of a doctor in fresno california who dose this transplant because my mother has it and it dosent seem to be going away at all. also dose this infection cause speach problems because when my mother came to she could not talk well and one doctor told us that there is different strains of c diff.
http://www.med.umn.edu/gi/faculty/khoruts/home.htm
This is the web address for a leading fecal transplant doctor. He may be able to advise about a doctor closer to you
Dave
cdifficile.org
Does anyone know a doctor near Albany, New York who does these?
Saint Clare’s Hospital in Denville, N.J
Dave
cdifficile.org
i was diagnosed with a very rare type of cancer zollinger ellison syndrom, during acourse of treatment for sepsis .i caught that nasty bug c-diff tht was in 2009 i got it again in 2011 may or june i still have it i have gone through so many doses of flagal 7 day 10 days 14 days nothing just feeling worse i do not now if this c diff will speed up my cancer 2009 it was metasttic in my lver i am to high risk for surgeries everything i have read about zollinger is you have3 to 5 years after it in the liver just want to know does c diff speeds anything up
thank you
i am a patient digestive diease dr. maton
i was diagnosed with a very rare type of cancer zollinger ellison syndrom, during acourse of treatment for sepsis .i caught that nasty bug c-diff tht was in 2009 i got it again in 2011 may or june i still have it i have gone through so many doses of flagal 7 day 10 days 14 days nothing just feeling worse i do not now if this c diff will speed up my cancer 2009 it was metasttic in my lver i am to high risk for surgeries everything i have read about zollinger is you have3 to 5 years after it in the liver just want to know does c diff speeds anything up
thank you
i am a patient digestive diease dr. maton