A study, published in Inflammatory Bowel Disease, found that fecal microbiota transplantation is a safe and effective treatment for patients suffering from ulcerative colitis.
The researchers employed a fecal microbiota preparation method that included stool from two healthy donors to maximize the diversity of healthy gut bacteria. They transplanted 20 ulcerative colitis patients with the fecal microbiota preparation via colonoscopy. They collected fecal samples from the patients four weeks after the transplantation.
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The researchers found that 35 percent of patients showed a clinical improvement in their symptoms and 15 percent showed a complete lack of symptoms by the four-week follow-up. The treatment also reduced the inflammation that helps cause ulcerative colitis.
The study authors note that further studies are necessary to ascertain the long-term positive effects positive effects of the treatment as well as other details, including the most effective bacteria for fecal microbiota preparation.