Can a recipient’s bacteria be affected by a stool donation

The microbial community in the gut, also known as the gut microbiota, plays an important role in maintaining a healthy body.

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is an effective treatment option for patients with recurrent C. difficile infection. However, researchers from Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) discovered that the microbial composition of donor feces influences the presence of a bacterial strain in the intestines of treated patients, which may be involved in the development of colorectal cancer.

The microbial community in the gut, also known as the gut microbiota, plays an important role in maintaining a healthy body. The use of antibiotics can disrupt the balanced microbiota, allowing the growth of diarrhea-causing Clostridium difficile (Clostridium difficile). When an intestinal infection does not clear up after several courses of specific antibiotics, it is called recurrent Clostridium difficile infection (rCDI). Individuals with rCDI may be treated with FMT, a procedure in which healthy human stool is administered to the patient via colonoscopy, an enema, a nasogastric tube, or in the form of capsules, or stool pills.

Stool samples analysis
researchers from Microbiome Analytics & Treatment Center LUMC’s Dutch Donor Stool Bank studied stool samples from healthy donors and RCDI patients who received FMT between 2016 and 2018. They looked for the presence of the cancer-causing bacteria + Escherichia coli (pks + E. coli). These bacteria can be found in the gut and have been linked to the development of colon cancer. Said Professor Ed Kuijber, University Professor of Experimental Bacteriology at LUMC.

great study
The researchers found that pks+E. coli is common in patients with rCDI, but is occasionally found at low concentrations in the intestines of healthy donors. Kuijper: “Stool samples were collected from 49 patients – the largest group to date – before and after FMT treatment. Of the eight donors, three had a positive sample containing pks + E.coli DNA, but at very low levels. Before FMT treatment, pks + E. coli DNA in significantly higher amounts in 27 patients.”

the findings
The researchers then compared their results with the presence of pks + E. coli in patients after treatment. They concluded that the presence of pks + E. coli in the donors may contribute to the persistence of these bacteria in patients after FMT, but transfer of pks + E. coli from a donor to a patient is unlikely. Interestingly, the observation that FMT treatment with pks + E. coli negative donors resulted in the eradication of pks + E. coli in treated patients. “A better understanding of the effect of FMT on the presence of pks + E. coli is critical because it can aid in the selection of donors and prevent the development of colon cancer in patients.” The results of their study are Posted in Gastroenterology. Follow-up research will focus on the development of colorectal cancer in patients treated with FMT.

About the stool culture bank
from Dutch Donor Stool Bank (NDFB) The Department of Medical Microbiology at LUMC collects and evaluates the stools of healthy donors to ensure that FMT remains safe and effective. The Foundation is always looking for healthy people who live near Leiden and want to donate their faeces. Do you want to know how to become a stool donor? visit NDFB . website.