Faecal microbiota transplant for recurrent Clostridium difficile infection

The procedure

Faecal microbiota transplants aim to re-balance the bacteria in the gut by introducing bacteria from the faeces of healthy people.

Before the procedure, donors (who can be family members or unrelated) are checked for harmful gut bacteria, viruses and parasites. Faeces from them are taken and mixed with water or another liquid such as milk or yogurt, and then filtered. This is then put into the patient's gut through a tube that is passed through the nose, or into the rectum (back passage). Sometimes before the procedure, patients may have their bowel flushed through with fluid.