Faecal microbiota transplant for recurrent Clostridium difficile infection

The condition

Clostridium difficile is 1 of many types of bacteria that live harmlessly in the gut of some healthy people. Sometimes, the balance of bacteria in the gut can be upset (for example, because the person takes broad spectrum antibiotics), allowing Clostridium difficile to multiply more than normal and become a bowel infection. This can cause severe diarrhoea and illness, and sometimes death.

Treatment usually involves specific antibiotics, but sometimes this doesn't work or the infections come back.

NHS Choices (www.nhs.uk) may be a good place to find out more.

NICE has looked at using faecal microbiota transplants as another treatment option. Click on to the next page to find out more.