Fecal microbiota transplantation: an interest in IBD?

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a targeted microbiome-based therapy that has garnered a great deal of attention from the scientific, clinical, and lay communities. An increasing number of studies have demonstrated that FMT is a highly effective therapy for recurrent/refractory Clostridium difficile infection and appears safe in the short term. Uncontrolled reports suggest the possibility of benefit in a select group of IBD patients, but there is quite limited information so far. FMT for IBD raises significant issues and concerns that warrant further systematic investigation. In this review, we discuss the background and rationale for this innovative therapy, the current knowledge for FMT in IBD, the logistical issues, and the important issues regarding ethics, social acceptability, and regulation.