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Stool transplant effective in treating severe intestinal infection, study finds

samples of feces of healthy Brazilians have about 30% more firmicutes bacteria which are part of gut microbiota , in comparison with those of also healthy North American individuals. The preliminary results are from a survey carried out by the Alfa Institute of Gastroenterology of the Hospital das Clínicas of the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) in partnership with the North American biotechnology company Rebiotix Inc.

The firmicutes bacteria phylum acts in harmony in the organism of individuals. The research points to a protective potential against serious intestinal infections caused by the bacteria. Clostridioides difficilewhich can cause diarrhea and inflammation of the colon, and against conditions such as rectocolitis and Crohn’s disease, which affect the gastrointestinal tract.

The study, which analyzed fecal samples from 49 Brazilians and 17 North Americans, is the first of its kind in Brazil and used the sequencing technique to assess the DNA of the intestinal microbiota. The analyzes revealed that the feces of Brazilians can be used in the treatment of infection by Clostridioides difficilewhich is a public health problem.

“The preliminary results show that the feces of Brazilians have a greater protective character, due to the greater proportion of the phylum firmicutes, which is in line with the results obtained by the Fecal Microbiota Transplant Center at HC in recent years”, says the gastroenterologist and professor Eduardo Vilela, coordinator of the transplant center.

The research is part of a therapeutic modality instituted in 2017 by researchers from the Fecal Microbiota Transplant Center of the Hospital das Clínicas of UFMG, the only one in the country, which consists of the transplantation of feces between healthy and sick people for the treatment of recurrent infection by the Clostridioides difficile and for the restoration of the microbiota.

So far, 11 transplants have already been performed, and the cure rate is over 90%, according to the researchers. One of the advantages is the rapid recovery of patients undergoing the procedure. According to UFMG, the hospital’s stool biobank is supported by guidelines from international bodies and the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa).

How the transplant is done

For stool transplantation, fecal samples are prepared and processed by a team of physicians and biomedical professionals from the Hospital das Clínicas. The material is stored in an ultrafreezer at -80°C, which ensures its long-term viability.

The treatment works based on the infusion of a solution composed of this fecal substrate through conventional colonoscopy.

In order for new transplants to be carried out on a larger scale, the Hospital das Clínicas of UFMG recruits men and women, between 18 and 50 years old, who wish to donate their feces.

Volunteers will undergo a telephone interview and physical and laboratory examination to exclude any infectious agent. If you are interested, please contact us by e-mail [email protected]

Source: CNN Brasil

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