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Updated: Feb 23, 2026
Therapeutic Evaluation of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in an Interleukin 10-Deficient Mouse Model
Published on: April 6, 2022
The Current Landscape and Lessons from Fecal Microbiota Transplantation for Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Past,
Jessica Allegretti1, Lindsay M Eysenbach, Najwa El-Nachef
1*Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; †Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; ‡OpenBiome, Somerville, Massachusetts; §School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut; ‖Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California; ¶Indiana University School of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana; and **Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Miriam Hospital, and Lifespan Hospital System, Providence, Rhode Island.
Abstract:
Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has changed the standard of care for Clostridium difficile infection. However, there is limited data focusing on efficacy and safety profile of FMT in patients with C. difficile infection with underlying inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including the risk of IBD flare. Recently, there is also emerging evidence supporting the role of FMT to treat IBD including promising randomized trials in ulcerative colitis. However, with heterogeneity across these studies, the clinical application of this emerging therapy has yet to be fully elucidated. Here, we aim to review the current landscape of this rapidly developing field, mapping the efficacy and safety of FMT (1) to treat C. difficile infection in patients with IBD, (2) to treat underlying IBD, and (3) outline ongoing clinical trials and the future of the microbiome space.
Insights
Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) effectively treats Clostridium difficile infection in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients and shows promise for treating IBD itself, though more research is needed.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Microbiome research
- Infectious diseases
Background:
- Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a standard treatment for Clostridium difficile infection (CDI).
- Limited data exists on FMT efficacy and safety in CDI patients with underlying inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including the risk of IBD flares.
- Emerging evidence suggests FMT may treat IBD, with promising trials in ulcerative colitis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current landscape of FMT in patients with IBD.
- To map the efficacy and safety of FMT for treating CDI in IBD patients.
- To evaluate FMT for treating IBD and outline future directions.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of existing literature.
- Analysis of randomized controlled trials and observational studies.
- Synthesis of data on FMT efficacy, safety, and IBD flare risk.
Main Results:
- FMT is effective for CDI in IBD patients.
- FMT shows potential for treating IBD, particularly ulcerative colitis.
- Safety profiles and IBD flare risks require further investigation.
Conclusions:
- FMT is a viable option for CDI in IBD patients.
- Further research is needed to establish FMT as a standard treatment for IBD.
- Ongoing clinical trials and future microbiome research are crucial.
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