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The effect of faecal enema on five microflora-associated characteristics in patients with antibiotic-associated
A Gustafsson1, A Berstad, S Lund-Tønnesen
1Dept. of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
Background:
Patients with antibiotic-associated diarrhoea (AAD) show significant disturbances in short-chain fatty acid pattern. In the present study five more microflora-associated characteristics (MACs) were investigated before and after administration of an enema containing faecal microflora from a healthy person on a Western diet.
Methods:
The functions of the microflora were determined with gas chromatography, electrophoresis, and spectrophotometry.
Results:
The conversion of cholesterol to coprostanol and the concentration of urobilinogen and trypsin were significantly reduced in comparison with healthy persons. The pattern of mucin was altered, but beta-aspartylglycine remained the same as in healthy persons. Enema treatment influenced these functions to different extents.
Conclusion:
Most MACs were significantly disturbed in patients with AAD. Administration of a human faecal enema modified these changes and relieved diarrhoea, usually within 4 days.