Faecal microbiota transplant for recurrent Clostridium difficile infection

5.1 Belching, abdominal cramps and abdominal pain, on the day of faecal transplant, were reported in 19% (3/16), 31% (5/16) and 13% (2/16) of patients respectively in the randomised controlled trial of 43 patients treated by faecal transplant, vancomycin with a bowel lavage or vancomycin only. In the same study, diarrhoea that was not considered to be due to Clostridium difficile infection was reported in 94% (15/16) of patients on the day of faecal transplant. Constipation (during the 10‑week follow-up period) was reported in 19% (3/16) of patients.

5.2 Suspected peritonitis was reported in 1 patient (timing not reported), and 3 patients had symptoms of enteritis within 2 days of receiving a faecal transplant, in the systematic review of 25 studies.

5.3 The specialist advisers stated that theoretical adverse events include the transmission of biological agents and infections, and the administration of microbiologically uncharacterised material.