Fecal Microbiota Transplantation: Is It Safe?

• Published in: Clinical endoscopy Vol. 54; no. 2; pp. 157 - 160
• Main Authors: Park, Seon-Young, Seo, Geom Seog
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) Korean Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy 01.03.2021; 대한소화기내시경학회
• Subjects: adverse events; fecal microbiota transplantation; Focused Review Series: Future s of Fecal Microbiota Transplatation; safety; 내과학; Adverse events; Fecal microbiota transplantation; Safety
• ISSN: 2234-2400; 2234-2443
• DOI: 10.5946/ce.2021.072

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is an accepted procedure for the management of recurrent Clostridioides difficile infections. FMT is generally considered safe and well-tolerated - even in high-risk patients. Most short-term risks are mild and known to be associated with delivery methods. Long-term side effects have not been established, and no signs of harm have been found to date. However, causality for several microbiome-associated diseases has to be established. Even though FMT is generally considered safe with strict donor screening, serious adverse events have been recently associated with the FMT product from the stool bank, where screening for multi-drug resistant organisms is not included in protocols. Here, we discuss the adverse events associated with FMT and safety issues.