New research shows fecal transplants are effective treatment for C. difficile and irritable bowel disease, according to findings (pdf) presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology.
Two studies looking at the effectiveness of fecal transplants found success rates of 91 and 85.4 percent. The first study included 77 mostly elderly patients. In the seven patients where fecal transplant was not successful, a two-week course of vancomycin or another fecal transplant and vancomycin resulted in a cure. The second study was a meta-analysis of 148 patients who had received a fecal transplant. Average follow-up time was one year but ranged from 10 days to 62 months after the procedure.
Another study reported successful treatment of severe IBD with fecal transplants in three clinical cases. The researchers from the Centre for Digestive Diseases in Australia said fecal transplant may help re-establish bacterial species and reserve IBD.
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Two studies looking at the effectiveness of fecal transplants found success rates of 91 and 85.4 percent. The first study included 77 mostly elderly patients. In the seven patients where fecal transplant was not successful, a two-week course of vancomycin or another fecal transplant and vancomycin resulted in a cure. The second study was a meta-analysis of 148 patients who had received a fecal transplant. Average follow-up time was one year but ranged from 10 days to 62 months after the procedure.
Another study reported successful treatment of severe IBD with fecal transplants in three clinical cases. The researchers from the Centre for Digestive Diseases in Australia said fecal transplant may help re-establish bacterial species and reserve IBD.
Related Articles on Gastroenterology:
Study: Listening to Mozart While Performing Colonoscopy Might Boost Polyp Detection Rate
Study: Aspirin Reduces Bowel Cancer Risk by 63 Percent
Researchers Get $3M NIH Grant to Develop Mathematical Models of Prostate Cancer Aggressiveness