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Updated: Jan 22, 2026
Murine Fecal Isolation and Microbiota Transplantation
Published on: May 26, 2023
The effect of fecal microbiota transplantation on Hepatic myelopathy: A case report
1Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China.
Rationale:
Hepatic myelopathy (HM), also known as portal-systemic myelopathy, is a rare neurological complication that occurs in patients with chronic liver disease. There is no easy and feasible treatment, liver transplantation is the only accepted therapy that may be effective for patients at early stage at present. The pathogenesis of the disease is not clear yet, and the prognosis is poor. Here we describe a reversible HM after fecal microbiota transplantation.
Patient Concerns:
In this report, a middle-aged female patient with hepatitis B cirrhosis, occurred HM after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, a progressive spastic paraparesis in both legs were the main symptoms.
Diagnosis:
The patient was diagnosed with HM.
Interventions:
The patient received 3 times of fecal microbiota transplantations (FMT).
Outcomes:
The patient's muscle strength of both legs were increased at various degrees, the patient's condition improved from HM2 to HM1.
Lessons:
FMT may be another effective way to treat HM. It is cheaper, more operable, and simpler than the approved treatment and worthy of further research.
Insights
Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) offers a promising, simpler treatment for hepatic myelopathy (HM), a rare neurological condition linked to liver disease. This study shows FMT can reverse HM symptoms, suggesting a new therapeutic avenue.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Gastroenterology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Hepatic myelopathy (HM), a rare neurological complication of chronic liver disease, presents significant treatment challenges.
- Current treatments are limited, with liver transplantation being the only established therapy for early-stage patients.
- The exact pathogenesis and prognosis of HM remain poorly understood.
Observation:
- A middle-aged female patient with hepatitis B cirrhosis developed HM following a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt.
- The primary symptoms included progressive spastic paraparesis in both legs.
- The patient was diagnosed with hepatic myelopathy.
Findings:
- The patient underwent three sessions of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT).
- Post-FMT, the patient exhibited improved muscle strength in both legs.
- The patient's condition improved from HM grade 2 to grade 1.
Implications:
- Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) presents a potential new therapeutic option for hepatic myelopathy.
- FMT is a more accessible, cost-effective, and simpler alternative compared to existing treatments.
- Further research into FMT for HM is warranted to validate its efficacy and safety.
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