Treatment of recurrent Clostridioides difficile infections with faecal microbiota transplantation: peri-procedural methods in a consecutive case series.

BACKGROUND

Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has high efficacy against recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). Despite the increasing use of this therapy, the delay between diagnosis and treatment is excessive. Furthermore, donor selection is an important and time-consuming process.

METHODS

We reviewed patients who underwent FMT for recurrent CDI at the CHU Charleroi Hospital between 2015 and 2022. The general context, type of administration, adverse events, and donor selection were reported. FMT was conducted using gastroduodenoscopy, colonoscopy, and enema with either fresh or frozen material.

RESULTS

Ten patients with multiple comorbidities were treated by FMT. Seven patients were cured after one procedure. One patient was successfully cured after a change to an unrelated donor, and preliminary efficacy was established.

CONCLUSIONS

FMT is an effective treatment that should be considered during the earlier phases of treatment. Stool donors should be thoroughly screened for infectious diseases and other criteria related to microbiota composition.