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Updated: Apr 7, 2026

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation via Colonoscopy for Recurrent C. difficile Infection

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation via Colonoscopy for Recurrent C. difficile Infection

Published on: December 8, 2014

Recurrent Clostridium difficile infection and the microbiome.

Rowena Almeida¹, Teklu Gerbaba¹, Elaine O Petrof^2,3

¹Gastrointestinal Diseases Research Unit, Department of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada.

Journal of Gastroenterology

|July 9, 2015

Summary

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) and microbial ecosystem therapeutics (MET) show promise for treating Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) and other diseases by restoring gut microbiota balance.

Keywords:

Clostridium difficile Fecal microbiota transplantation Microbiome

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Area of Science:

Microbiology
Gastroenterology
Immunology

Background:

The gastrointestinal microbiota plays a crucial role in host physiology and immune function.
Expanding knowledge of microbiota composition and function fuels interest in therapeutic applications.
Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a significant nosocomial infection with limited treatment options.

Purpose of the Study:

To summarize key aspects of CDI.
To introduce the framework and challenges of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT).
To discuss microbial ecosystem therapeutics (MET) as an advancement in microbiota-based treatments.

Main Methods:

Review of current literature on CDI, FMT, and MET.
Analysis of the effectiveness of FMT for recurrent CDI.
Exploration of MET as a rationally designed therapeutic modality.

Main Results:

FMT has proven highly effective for recurrent CDI, representing a paradigm shift in treatment.
MET builds upon bacteriotherapy, leveraging the restorative properties of intestinal bacterial communities.
Understanding microbiota evolves to drive next-generation therapies.

Conclusions:

FMT is a successful treatment for recurrent CDI.
MET represents a progressive therapeutic approach for various conditions.
Future microbiota therapies hold potential for inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, and metabolic syndrome.