Procedure, Screening, and Cost of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is currently considered a potential treatment for various GI-related illnesses, with the goal to replenish natural healthy flora of the GI tract that has been harmed because of antibiotic use or overgrowth of harmful bacteria. Current methods of administering the processed stool include colonoscopy and enema, while an oral capsule is being developed. Each method of administration carries its own set of risks, including adverse reactions to treatment, infection following the invasive administration procedure, and flare-ups of GI-related symptoms. Current oral administration through nasoduodenal tube poses a risk for aspiration which has not been ruled out as the cause of subsequent pneumonia and death in patient trials. The development of an oral capsule could address some of the faults of the current methods, not only making treatment more affordable and accessible but also less of a risk due to its minimally invasive nature. FMT is also a treatment option to attenuate adverse effects associated with antibiotic use, including combatting the emergence of antibiotic resistance, as well as adverse effects related to other medical treatments such as chemotherapy. While FMT is an unexplored treatment option for multiple gastrointestinal disorders and is currently still largely inaccessible for many patients financially, studies have suggested that it could be a more affordable treatment option long-term for patients as aspects of the treatment become more affordable with further research.