Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Primer for Internists

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease consists of disorders characterized by chronic idiopathic bowel inflammation. The concept of host-gut-microbiome interaction in the pathogenesis of various complex immune-mediated chronic diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, has recently generated immense interest. Mounting evidence confirms alteration of intestinal microflora in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Thus, restoration of normal gut microbiota has become a focus of basic and clinical research in recent years. Fecal microbiota transplantation is being explored as one such therapeutic strategy and has shown encouraging results in the management of patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Keywords: Crohn's disease; Fecal microbiota transplantation; Fecal transplant; Inflammatory bowel disease; Stool transplant; Ulcerative colitis.