Resolution of multiply recurrent and multifocal diverticulitis after fecal microbiota transplantation

The exact pathophysiology of diverticulitis is not well understood and may be multifactorial. Recent studies highlight dysbiosis as a plausible mechanism. FMT is a safe strategy to restore commensal colon microbiota and has proven to be an effective treatment for gastrointestinal dysbiosis such as Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). There have been no studies reporting the treatment of diverticulitis with FMT. Our aim was to describe the novel application of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) for the treatment of recurrent diverticulitis.

We report a case of a 63-year-old woman who had a 13-year history of multiply recurrent and multifocal diverticulitis previously treated with numerous short courses of intravenous and oral antibiotics for acute flares, two segmental colon resections, and suppressive antibiotic therapy for recurrent disease. Secondary to multiple courses of antibiotics , the patient developed CDI. She was treated with a single round of FMT and subsequently stopped all antibiotics at the time of FMT.

In 20 months of follow-up, the patient has had no further recurrence of diverticulitis or CDI.

FMT could prove to be a novel therapy for refractory diverticulitis but requires further investigation.