Clinical Endoscopy  2016;49(3):257-265

doi:10.5946/ce.2015.117

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation: Current Applications, Effectiveness, and Future Perspectives.

Hyun Ho CHOI 1 ; Young Seok CHO

Affiliations

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Keywords

Fecal microbiota transplantation; Clostridium difficile infection; Colitis, ulcerative; Crohn disease; Irritable bowel syndrome

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

English

Abstract

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is the infusion of liquid filtrate feces from a healthy donor into the gut of a recipient to cure a specific disease. A fecal suspension can be administered by nasogastric or nasoduodenal tube, colonoscope, enema, or capsule. The high success rate and safety in the short term reported for recurrent Clostridium difficile infection has elevated FMT as an emerging treatment for a wide range of disorders, including Parkinson's disease, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, myoclonus dystopia, multiple sclerosis, obesity, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and autism. There are many unanswered questions regarding FMT, including donor selection and screening, standardized protocols, long-term safety, and regulatory issues. This article reviews the efficacy and safety of FMT used in treating a variety of diseases, methodology, criteria for donor selection and screening, and various concerns regarding FMT.