Fecal transplantation can be effective in treating ulcerative colitis, for which current treatments have significant side effects.
A new trial has demonstrated that faecal microbiota transplantation can successfully treat patients with ulcerative colitis. The randomized, double-blind study was published in the JAMA. 73 adults with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis participated.
Some received a faecal microbiota transplant, others their own stool (placebo) via a colonoscopy, followed by two enemas. Result: the graft administered in anaerobiosis (in an oxygen-free medium) to a donor could induce remission in ulcerative colitis, with a remission rate of 32%, compared to 9% under placebo.
Without oxygen
“The most important difference in this trial compared to previous studies is the use of anaerobic (without oxygen) stool treatment,” explains Dr. Sam Costello, study director and gastroenterologist. “Many gut bacteria die with exposure to oxygen, and we know that with anaerobic stool treatment, a large number of donor bacteria survive and can therefore be administered to the patient. be the reason why we had a good therapeutic effect with only a small number of treatments”, explains the specialist. An agreement has already been concluded with the British company Microbiotica to commercialize the development of a microbial therapy resulting from this study.
Of unknown origin, ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that consists of a fine ulceration of the internal lining of the large intestine. The inflammation begins in the lower part of the colon, just above the anus, and progresses upwards at varying distances. Ulcerative colitis can be diagnosed at any age, with a high frequency seen in young children and people between the ages of 40 and 50*.
Symptoms
Rectal bleeding occurs in most patients and is evident in the stool. The second most common symptom is diarrhea, accompanied by painful abdominal cramps. The intensity of symptoms varies from mild to severe. This can result in insufficient red blood cells (anemia) if diarrhea and blood loss are severe. Constipation can also develop as the body struggles to maintain normal bowel function.
Ulcerative colitis may also cause some patients to develop extraintestinal manifestations, such as fever, eye or joint inflammation, mouth ulcers, or tender, inflamed nodules on the shins.
*Source: canadian gastrointestinal society.
.
