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Updated: Mar 6, 2026
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Fecal Microbiota Transplantation via Colonoscopy for Recurrent C. difficile Infection
Published on: December 8, 2014
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Treatment of Recurrent Clostridium difficile Diarrhea.
Elizabeth S Huebner1, Christina M Surawicz1
1Dr. Huebner is a Fellow in the Division of Gastroenterology at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle, where Dr. Surawicz is Professor of Medicine, Section Chief in Gastroenterology at the Harborview Medical Center, and Assistant Dean for Faculty Development.
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
|March 14, 2017
Summary
Recurrent Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea is difficult to treat. Current strategies include antibiotics, probiotics like Saccharomyces boulardii, and fecal transplants, with new vaccines showing promise.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Recurrent Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) presents significant clinical challenges.
- Patients with recurrent CDAD often experience prolonged or multiple episodes.
- Standard antibiotic treatments may be insufficient for complete resolution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current and emerging treatment strategies for recurrent Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea.
- To highlight the difficulties in managing recurrent CDAD.
- To discuss novel therapeutic approaches.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on Clostridium difficile treatment.
- Discussion of antibiotic therapies, including standard, tapering, and pulsed regimens.
- Exploration of adjunctive therapies such as probiotics (Saccharomyces boulardii).
- Examination of fecal microbiota transplantation methods (enemas, colonoscopy, nasogastric tubes).
- Consideration of investigational treatments like C. difficile vaccination.
Main Results:
- Recurrent CDAD necessitates varied treatment approaches beyond initial antibiotic courses.
- Probiotics, specifically Saccharomyces boulardii, offer a potential therapeutic option.
- Fecal reconstitution aims to restore healthy gut microbiota.
- Investigational vaccines against C. difficile demonstrate promising early outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Managing recurrent CDAD requires a multi-faceted strategy.
- Established treatments include antibiotics and probiotics, while fecal transplantation offers a restorative approach.
- Emerging therapies, such as vaccination, represent a hopeful future direction for recurrent CDAD treatment.
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