Stool Implants can Treat Serious Gut Infections: Study

Capsules of frozen feces can help cure serious gastrointestinal infections, finds a study.

Gut infections are caused when there are changes in bacterial balance in the digestive tract. Infections caused by bacteria called Clostridium difficile or C.difficile are difficult to treat. Antibiotic medications might induce the microbes to multiply and spread, causing diarrhea. In a recent study, experts from the Harvard Medical School discovered that fecal transplants can actually cure severe gut infections.

Their study involved 20 volunteers with C.difficile infection who received 15 capsules containing frozen fecal matter for two continuous days. Two months after the trial about 14 patients experienced drastic improvements in their gut health and did not suffer any infection symptoms, reports the Independent.

In earlier researches, scientists wanted to test the efficacy of administering fresh fecal samples directly into the colon. But, many experts criticized the idea citing it was impractical and risky. However, in the current trial, researchers observed that implanting feces capsules made from excrement samples of four healthy participants was absolutely safe and risk free.

"The small investigation provides preliminary data supporting the safety and efficacy of this approach. More experience and larger studies are needed to determine the long-term safety and efficacy," said Elizabeth Hohmann study author and professor at the Harvard Medical School, reports the BBC news.

The authors advise those with C.difficile infections against trying out home remedies and quick fixes to get rid of diarrhea.

"The use of capsules simplifies the procedure immensely, potentially making it accessible to a greater population. But while we are striving to make this treatment more accessible to patients it is important to remind people of the potential dangers of attempting 'home brew' faecal microbiota transplant using faecal material from family members or friends. This procedure should only be performed under strict medical supervision with material from thoroughly screened donors," adds Ilan Youngster co-author and researcher from Boston Children's Hospital.

More information is available online in JAMA.