Fecal microbiota and microbial community transplantation: a review of current research

Homeostasis across diverse ecosystems, ranging from human hosts to environmental matrices, is profoundly governed by microbial communities. Dysbiosis, the disruption of this microbial equilibrium, leads to significant adverse outcomes in medicine, agriculture, aquaculture, and environmental health. This review synthesizes current knowledge on microbial transfusions, defined as the deliberate transfer of microbial communities or their components to restore, reconstitute, or enhance functional capacities across these systems. We explore the historical context and cutting-edge applications, including Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) for Clostridioides difficile infection, metabolic and neurological disorders, alongside advancements in vaginal microbiota transplantation. In agriculture, we summarize the engineering of soil microbiomes for enhanced plant health, stress adaptation, and bioremediation, as well as transplantation practices in livestock and wild species. Furthermore, we discuss the role of microbiota transplantation in aquaculture for improving fish health and disease resistance, highlighting both natural and synthetic consortia. The application of microbial communities in bioremediation and ecological restoration is explored, addressing challenges such as stability, cost, and ecological impacts. Ultimately, this review integrates these diverse applications within a "One Health" framework, emphasizing the systemic links among human, animal, and environmental microbiomes. We underscore the potential of microbiota transplantation as a sustainable strategy for restoring ecological balance while identifying critical research gaps and future directions regarding standardized methodologies and the long-term functionality of transplanted microbiomes.