Microorganisms (Aug 2024)

The Role of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in IBD

  • Fabrizio Fanizzi,
  • Ferdinando D’Amico,
  • Isadora Zanotelli Bombassaro,
  • Alessandra Zilli,
  • Federica Furfaro,
  • Tommaso Lorenzo Parigi,
  • Clelia Cicerone,
  • Gionata Fiorino,
  • Laurent Peyrin-Biroulet,
  • Silvio Danese,
  • Mariangela Allocca

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12091755
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 9
p. 1755

Abstract

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Gut microbiota dysbiosis has a critical role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases, prompting the exploration of novel therapeutic approaches like fecal microbiota transplantation, which involves the transfer of fecal microbiota from a healthy donor to a recipient with the aim of restoring a balanced microbial community and attenuating inflammation. Fecal microbiota transplantation may exert beneficial effects in inflammatory bowel disease through modulation of immune responses, restoration of mucosal barrier integrity, and alteration of microbial metabolites. It could alter disease course and prevent flares, although long-term durability and safety data are lacking. This review provides a summary of current evidence on fecal microbiota transplantation in inflammatory bowel disease management, focusing on its challenges, such as variability in donor selection criteria, standardization of transplant protocols, and long-term outcomes post-transplantation.

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