Petrol, E., Gloor, G., Vanner, S., Weese, S., Carter, D., Daigenault, M., . . . Allen-Varcoe, E. (2013). Stool substitute transplant therapy for the eradication of Clostridium difficile infection: ‘RePOOPulating’ the gut. Micro biome. doi:10.3410/f.717977847.793470906
In this study, stool was obtained from a healthy, 41-year old woman and infused into the intestines of 2 patients who have a history of recurrent CDI. The stool was cultured and purified. Researchers isolated 33 strains of species sensitive to microbials (agents that slow/stop the growth of microorganisms) and infused for the final stool substitution. Prior to depositing this mixture into the intestines, the patients were kept off of antibiotics for 2 days. During the procedure, the mixture was deposited into the patients’ colons. Afterwards, the patients were released an hour after the procedure and instructed to have a fiber-rich diet and take probiotics. Testing for these samples included gDNA (genomic DNA) extraction and V6 rRNA amplification. gDNA was extracted by using a method called bead beating, in which a grinder was used “crack open” cells and then the samples were purified. Polymerase chain reaction was used to amplify V6 rRNA, which is a section of the ribosomal RNA that demonstrates great biodiversity for bacteria, microorganisms, etc. The samples were the sequenced to gain a fundamental understanding of the gene/genome for C. difficile.
The results were that the 2 patients went reverted to a regular bowel pattern 2 to 3 days after treatment. 6 months after the treatment, the patients remained symptom-free of CDI. This study could have been improved on or furthered by following up with the patients after the 6 month mark, because the long-term effects of biotherapy/stool transplantation cannot be determined based off the results after 6 months.
