Fecal microbiota transplantation, a novel therapy for recurrent Clostridium difficile infection

Clostridium difficile infection is caused by a disturbance of the gut microbiota, often resulting from the use of antibiotics. Among a sub group of patients with this disorder, treatment with antibiotics is not effective. They develop a chronic, recurrent infection. Such patients can be treated with a fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), or fecal transplantation. The crucial steps for safe application of fecal transplantation are central donor selection and screening. To optimise safety and to guarantee the availability of donor feces for fecal transplantation, the Nederlandse Donor Feces Bank (Dutch Donor Feces Bank) was established. At this facility, ready-to-use, screened donor feces can be ordered for patients with (recurrent) Clostridium difficile infections, who can then be treated at their own hospital.