Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in Vulnerable Populations: An Up-and-Coming Treatment for Clostridium difficile Infections
Haley N Ersfeld
Keywords: Clostridium difficile, fecal microbiota transplantation, gastrointestinal infections
Abstract
Clostridium difficile infections are becoming increasingly difficult to treat as antibiotic resistant strains continue to evolve. As traditional methods of curing these infections become less effective, alternative treatment options are constantly being developed. One such treatment option is fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), in which fecal matter from a healthy donor is transplanted into an infected patient to reintroduce a healthy gut microbiome. While this treatment has been proven effective in the majority of human populations, vulnerable patients—including children, immunocompromised patients, and patients with mental and physical disabilities—require special consideration before treatment with FMT. The purpose of this review article is to outline the benefits, risk factors, and ethical considerations involved in utilizing FMT in a variety of vulnerable populations.
