Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation via Colonoscopy for Recurrent C. difficile Infection
07:06

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation via Colonoscopy for Recurrent C. difficile Infection

Published on: December 8, 2014

27.8K

Methods and Reporting Studies Assessing Fecal Microbiota Transplantation: A Systematic Review

Aïda Bafeta1, Amelie Yavchitz1, Carolina Riveros1

  • 1From INSERM U1153, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Centre d'Epidémiologie Clinique, Hôpital Hôtel-Dieu, Université Paris Descartes-Sorbonne Paris Cité, French Cochrane Centre, and Hôpital Cochin, Paris, France, and Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York.

Annals of Internal Medicine
|May 23, 2017
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) studies often lack crucial methodological details for replication and understanding efficacy. Key components of FMT interventions are poorly reported in published research.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology and Hepatology
  • Microbiology
  • Clinical Research Methodology

Background:

  • Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a potential novel therapy for chronic diseases linked to gut dysbiosis.
  • Research is exploring FMT's role beyond its established use in Clostridium difficile infection.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically evaluate the methodology and reporting standards of clinical studies investigating fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT).
  • To identify gaps in the reporting of essential FMT intervention components.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of English-language human clinical studies on FMT safety or efficacy.
  • Searches conducted across major databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane).
  • Independent assessment of study characteristics and reporting of methodological elements by multiple reviewers.

Main Results:

  • Most studies (84%) focused on Clostridium difficile infection or inflammatory bowel disease, predominantly using non-randomized designs (87%).
  • Significant reporting deficiencies were noted in donor eligibility (47%), stool collection materials and timing (96%), stool conservation methods (76%), stool type/amount (not specified), and conservation duration (67%).
  • Microbiota composition analysis was absent in 58% of studies.

Conclusions:

  • A lack of consensus on critical FMT methodological components hinders study assessment and reproducibility.
  • Poor reporting of key FMT intervention details compromises the ability to understand and replicate study findings on efficacy and safety.

More Related Videos

Therapeutic Evaluation of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in an Interleukin 10-Deficient Mouse Model05:41

Therapeutic Evaluation of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in an Interleukin 10-Deficient Mouse Model

Published on: April 6, 2022

3.5K
Murine Fecal Isolation and Microbiota Transplantation07:32

Murine Fecal Isolation and Microbiota Transplantation

Published on: May 26, 2023

5.7K

Related Concept Videos

What is Monogastric Digestion?01:50

What is Monogastric Digestion?

The human body contains a monogastric digestive system. In a monogastric digestive system, the stomach only contains one chamber in which it digests food. Several other animal species also have monogastric digestive systems, including pigs, horses, dogs, and birds. This chapter, however, focuses on the human digestive system.
Methods to Assess Microbial Populations01:30

Methods to Assess Microbial Populations

Assessing microbial populations is crucial for understanding microbial roles in health, ecology, and industry. Various complementary techniques—both culture-based and molecular—enable detailed analysis of microbial abundance, diversity, and function.Viable Plate CountThe viable plate count is a traditional culture-based method used to estimate the number of living microbes in a sample. After serial dilution, the sample is spread onto nutrient agar plates. Each viable cell forms a visible...
Methods to Assess Microbial Communities01:19

Methods to Assess Microbial Communities

Microbial communities, comprising bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotic microorganisms, inhabit diverse ecosystems and play crucial roles in environmental and biological processes. Their diversity is defined by three main parameters: species richness (the number of distinct species), species abundance (the relative quantity of each species), and species evenness (how uniformly individual species are distributed in various locations). These factors together shape the structure and ecological balance...
Dysbiosis of the Gut Microbiota01:18

Dysbiosis of the Gut Microbiota

The human gut microbiome includes a diverse array of microbial species, including beneficial commensals and opportunistic pathogens, which interact to support host health. These microbes contribute to essential functions such as nutrient metabolism, immune system modulation, and maintenance of intestinal barrier integrity. However, disruptions to this equilibrium—referred to as dysbiosis—can have widespread physiological consequences.Dysbiosis is often characterized by reduced microbial...
Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics01:21

Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics

Antibiotics have revolutionized modern medicine by saving countless lives from bacterial infections. However, their widespread use has inadvertently harmed the delicate balance of the human gut microbiota. The gut microbiota, a complex community of bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi, plays a vital role in regulating metabolism, immune responses, and maintaining intestinal health. Antibiotics, especially broad-spectrum types, disrupt this ecosystem by eradicating both harmful and beneficial...