Forum of Internal Medicine
A pilot study of treating ulcerative colitis with fecal microbiota transplantation
Ren Rongrong, Peng Lihua, Zhang Xiuli, Wang Shufang, Dou Yan, Zhang Xiaomei, Wang Zikai, Bo Xiaochen, Liu Qingsen, Li Wen, Fan Nannan, Ma Xin, Sun Gang, Yang Yunsheng
Published 2015-05-01
Cite as Chin J Intern Med, 2015, 54(5): 411-415. DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.0578-1426.2015.05.007
Abstract
ObjectiveTo explore the procedure, effectiveness and safety of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC).
MethodsSeven patients (6 men and 1 woman, aged 17-66 years) with active UC were treated with FMT through endoscopic duodenal infusion or combined endoscopic duodenal and colonic approaches. The clinical manifestations and laboratory results were recorded before and after FMT respectively. Disease response was evaluated with Mayo scores. Fresh fecal suspension prepared from healthy donors who were strictly screened, was infused into patients' intestinal tracts within 6 hours.
ResultsThe average disease duration of 7 patients with UC was (9.1±8.5) years (range 0.5-24.0 years). One patient underwent FMT for three times and one for twice, while the other five were treated for once. The follow-up time was (98.6±70.8) days (30-210 days). All patients achieved some extent of improvements with the reduction of Mayo scores 7, 4, 6, 5, 6, 9 and 9, respectively. Transient fever, diarrhea and abdominal distension were observed in some patients after FMT, while alleviated spontaneously 2-3 days after the procedure. One patient had high fever and mild ascites caused by secondary infections, which were controlled by the symptomatic treatment and antibiotics. Severe adverse reactions were not found.
ConclusionsFMT is effective to active UC, the short-term side effects and complications are basically acceptable and controllable. The long-term efficacy and risks of FMT need to be verified further.
Key words:
Colitis, ulcerative; Therapies, investigational; Fecal microbiota transplantation
Contributor Information
Ren Rongrong
Peng Lihua
Zhang Xiuli
Wang Shufang
Dou Yan
Zhang Xiaomei
Wang Zikai
Bo Xiaochen
Liu Qingsen
Li Wen
Fan Nannan
Ma Xin
Sun Gang
Yang Yunsheng
Institute of Digestive Diseases, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China