Fecal microbiota transplant (FMT)

Fecal microbiota transplant (FMT), also known as stool transplant, is a medical procedure in which stool (fecal matter) from a healthy donor is transferred into the gastrointestinal tract of a patient.

The goal of this procedure is to restore a healthy balance of bacteria in the gut. It is primarily used to treat infections or conditions where the natural gut microbiota (the community of microorganisms living in the intestines) has been disrupted.

Key uses of FMT:

1. Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) infection: FMT is most commonly used to treat recurrent C. difficile infections, a serious bacterial infection that can cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, and other gastrointestinal symptoms. The infection often occurs after antibiotic treatment, which can disrupt the normal gut flora, allowing harmful bacteria like C. difficile to overgrow. FMT helps restore the balance of gut bacteria, which can eliminate the C. difficile infection.

2. Other potential conditions: Research is ongoing into the use of FMT for a variety of other conditions, including: