Transplanting fecal matter with healthy bacteria into patients with refractory Clostridium difficile infections can lead to quick relief, researchers said here.
Fecal microbiota transplant had a 91% rate of success -- defined as no recurrence within three months -- among 77 patients with refractory C. difficile infection, Mark Mellow, MD, of Integris Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City, and colleagues reported at the annual meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology.
The average time for resolution and improvement in diarrhea was six days; for fatigue, four weeks.
The success rate rose to 98% after six patients who failed the transplant procedure were given a two-week course of vancomycin -- alone or with probiotics -- or vancomycin plus an additional transplant.
Fecal microbiota transplant had a 91% rate of success -- defined as no recurrence within three months -- among 77 patients with refractory C. difficile infection, Mark Mellow, MD, of Integris Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City, and colleagues reported at the annual meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology.
The average time for resolution and improvement in diarrhea was six days; for fatigue, four weeks.
The success rate rose to 98% after six patients who failed the transplant procedure were given a two-week course of vancomycin -- alone or with probiotics -- or vancomycin plus an additional transplant.
