AGA now recommends fecal microbiota transplant for the majority of recurrent C. diff patients

However, this new clinical guideline does not recommend FMT for IBD and IBS

2024-02-21

(Press-News.org) Bethesda, MD (Feb. 21, 2024) — In the first comprehensive evidence-based guideline on the use of fecal microbiota-based therapies for gastrointestinal disease, the American Gastroenterological Association recommends fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) for most patients with recurrent Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infection.

“Using fecal microbiota transplant, we take stool from a healthy donor and transfer it to the colon of the person with recurrent C. diff, restoring balance to their gut microbiome,” explains guideline author Dr. Anne Peery. “FMT is a safe and effective treatment with enough scientific evidence to offered to most patients with two or more C. diff recurrences.”

In the U.S., nearly half a million people each year experience C. diff. One in six of those people will deal with a C. diff recurrence within two to eight weeks.

For patients with recurrent C. diff infection at a high risk of recurrence:

AGA recommends the use of FMT-based therapy after completing a course of standard-of-care antibiotics. Only severely immunocompromised patients (such as patients who are neutropenic or have received a bone marrow transplant) are excluded from this recommendation.

For hospitalized patients with severe C. diff infection:

AGA recommends the use of conventional FMT following standard of care antibiotic therapy in select patients if there is no improvement.

FMT therapies are not recommended as a treatment for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). AGA encourages patients interested in FMT for conditions other than C. diff to participate in a clinical trial.

Key takeaways

FMT offers hope to patients suffering from recurrent C. diff infection, as a safe and effective treatment.

The majority of patients with recurrent C. diff are candidates and can consider an FMT therapy to prevent recurrence.

“C. diff is debilitating. Thanks to this new American Gastroenterological Association guideline, patients will suffer for shorter periods of time and be able to get back to leading happy and healthy lives,” concluded Amanda Kabage, MS, FMT researcher and FMT recipient who contributed to the development of this guideline.

This guideline covers the use of conventional FMT, performed most commonly using donor stool delivered via colonoscopy, as well as recently FDA-approved therapies such as fecal microbiota live-jslm (REBYOTA) delivered via enema and fecal microbiota spores live-brpk (VOWST) delivered in an oral capsule.

Check out AGA’s GI Patient Center resources:

What is C. diff?

What is fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT)?

FMT FAQs

Learn more about the AGA Fecal Microbiota Transplantation National Registry: https://gastro.org/research-and-awards/registries-and-studies/fecal-microbiota-transplantation-national-registry/

# # #

Media contact: Mara Shapiro, media@gastro.org

About the AGA Institute

The American Gastroenterological Association is the trusted voice of the GI community. Founded in 1897, the AGA has grown to more than 16,000 members from around the globe who are involved in all aspects of the science, practice and advancement of gastroenterology. The AGA Institute administers the practice, research and educational programs of the organization. www.gastro.org.

About Gastroenterology

Gastroenterology is the most prominent journal in the field of gastrointestinal disease. As the official journal of the AGA Institute, Gastroenterology delivers up-to-date and authoritative coverage of both basic and clinical gastroenterology. Regular features include articles by leading authorities and reports on the latest treatments for diseases. Original research is organized by clinical and basic-translational content, as well as by alimentary tract, liver, pancreas, and biliary content. www.gastrojournal.org/

AGA is now on Instagram.
Like AGA and Gastroenterology on Facebook.
Follow us on Twitter @AmerGastroAssn and @AGA_Gastro.
Check out our videos on YouTube.
Follow AGA on LinkedIn.

END

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Why are fish getting smaller as waters warm? It’s not their gills, finds study led by UMass Amherst

2024-02-21

February 21, 2024 Why Are Fish Getting Smaller as Waters Warm? It’s Not Their Gills, Finds Study Led by UMass Amherst Biologists find no link between fish size and gill surface area—study suggests that models underlying some projections of future fisheries yields need to be reconsidered AMHERST, Mass. – A collaborative team of scientists led by the University of Massachusetts Amherst recently found that there is no physiological evidence supporting a leading theory— which involves the surface area of fish gills —as to why many fish species are ...

Can yoga effectively treat chronic back pain?

2024-02-21

New research published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Research suggests that the physical postures, breathing exercises, and mindfulness practices of yoga may benefit individuals with back pain. In the study, 10 women with and 11 without chronic low back pain underwent an 8‐session yoga program over 4 weeks, with the first session conducted in a clinic and the rest delivered with a tele‐approach. Women with chronic low back pain experienced a significant decrease in pain intensity, as assessed through a 10-point visual analog scale (an average ...

Do immigrant deaths at the border influence white and Latinx Americans’ belief in the American dream?

2024-02-21

The American dream narrative posits that anyone who works hard can become successful in the US, whereas the systemic racism narrative argues that the US is a racist country where minorities are systemically held back. A survey-based study in Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy found that these narratives predict individuals’ support for the presidential candidacy of Donald Trump or Joe Biden, above and beyond more traditional political ideologies. In a follow-up experiment in which participants were confronted with news clips of immigrant deaths at the border, white individuals decreased their ...

How do renewable energy and innovation impact environmental quality in different countries?

2024-02-21

Renewable energy production leads to reduced carbon dioxide emissions in countries that are members of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) but increased emissions in emerging economies, according to the results of a study published in the Natural Resources Forum. A similar disparity was seen when considering the environmental impacts of innovation. (The OECD is an international organization that works to build better policies for better lives. Thirty-eight countries around the world are currently members.) Regarding ...

Does watching TV or videos during the day affect nighttime urination?

2024-02-21

In a study published in Neurourology and Urodynamics, adults who spent 5 or more hours a day watching TV and/or videos were more likely to develop nocturia, or the need to urinate multiple times during the night. The study drew from 2011–2016 data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Among 13,294 US individuals aged 20 and older, 4,236 (31.86%) reported experiencing nocturia, while 9,058 (68.14%) did not. Participants with 5 or more hours of TV and/or video viewing time per day had a 48% higher risk of experiencing nocturia compared with those with less than 1 hour of daily TV and/or video viewing time. “As ...

How do chronic inflammation and physical inactivity affect age-related changes in gene and protein expression in skeletal muscle?

2024-02-21

New research indicates that some age-related changes in gene and protein expression in the skeletal muscles of older individuals may be affected more by physical inactivity and chronic inflammation than primary aging, or intrinsic maturational processes. Physical inactivity and chronic inflammation are the most important drivers of secondary aging, or changes over time that are caused by extrinsic factors such as diseases or poor health practices. In the Aging Cell study that included 15 young healthy people and 8 young and 37 older patients with knee or hip osteoarthritis (who suffered from long-term inactivity ...

Study finds menthol cigarette ban would lead a lot of people to quit smoking

2024-02-21

A new paper in Nicotine & Tobacco Research, published by Oxford University Press, finds that banning the sale of menthol cigarettes would likely lead to a meaningful reduction in smoking rates. Menthol cigarettes are of particular public health concern because studies have found that the cooling effects of menthol mask the harshness of cigarettes, making it easier for young people to start smoking. Prior research has also found that menthol in cigarettes makes it easier for smokers to absorb nicotine, which results in ...

New cloud model could help with climate research

2024-02-21

When clouds meet clear skies, cloud droplets evaporate as they mix with dry air. A new study involving researchers from the University of Gothenburg has succeeded in capturing what happens in a model. Ultimately, this could lead to more accurate climate modeling in the future. The clouds in the sky have a significant impact on our climate. Not only do they produce precipitation and provide shade from the sun, they also act as large reflectors that prevent the radiation of heat from the Earth – commonly known as the greenhouse effect. “Although clouds have been studied for a long time, they are one of the biggest sources of uncertainty in climate models,” ...

Unravelling the genetic and environmental influences on trust

2024-02-21

Trust, a cornerstone of human interaction, has a significant genetic component, with around 33% of the variation between individuals attributed to our genes, according to new Australian research using data from twins and a meta-analysis of previous studies on the heritability of trust. Successful relationships, economic transactions and social cohesion are all a matter of trust. Without trust, businesses collapse, political parties fail, and conflicts erupt, whether on a personal or international scale, resulting in broken hearts and lives lost. “Higher levels of trust are associated with a range of social and economic benefits, ...

People who a eat healthy, plant-based diet are less likely to suffer with dangerous snoring

2024-02-21

People who eat a healthy, plant-based diet that is high in vegetables, fruit, whole grains and nuts are less likely to suffer with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), according to a study published today (Wednesday) in ERJ Open Research [1]. However, people eating an unhealthy plant-based diet, high in refined carbohydrates, sugary drinks, high-sugar and high-salt foods, are at a higher risk of OSA. People with OSA often snore loudly, their breathing starts and stops during the night, and they may wake up several times. Not only does this cause tiredness, but it can also increase the risk of high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. The new study ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

UK study shows there is less stigma against LGBTQ people than you might think, but people with mental health problems continue to experience higher levels of stigma