Faecal capsules 'may help stop gut infection'

[EC]

I do hope everyone enjoyed their dinner.

Capsules containing frozen faecal material may help clear up C. difficile infections, research suggests.

Twenty people were given the therapy, using material from volunteers, in an attempt to treat serious diarrhoea caused by Clostridium difficile bugs.

The work builds on previous studies showing that faecal transplants may help reset the balance of bacteria in the gut.

But researchers warned people should not be tempted to make "home brews".
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    It is important to remind people of the potential dangers of attempting 'home brew' transplants ”

Dr Ilan Youngster Researcher
No recurrences

C. difficile bacteria live harmlessly in many people's guts alongside hundreds of other species - all competing for space and food.

But some antibiotics can kill off C. difficile's competitors, allowing the bugs to multiply and produce masses of toxins. This can lead to serious diarrhoea and may be fatal.

Strong antibiotics help some people but others go on to develop chronic infections.

For the latest research, a team of scientists from America and Israel treated 20 people with chronic C. difficile infections using frozen faecal capsules.

Each patient was given 15 capsules on two consecutive days.

For 14 of the 20 people involved their symptoms completely disappeared, with no recurrences in the following two months.

After another course of treatment, only two patients had further worrying episodes of diarrhoea.

Researchers have carried out successful faecal transplants before, a therapy that generally involves administering fresh excrement through a tube or directly to the colon.

But, writing in the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers argue that this is uncomfortable, impractical and can carry risks for patients.

Their capsules were made using faecal material from four carefully screened healthy volunteers.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-29572670

[alicewonders]

"Researchers have carried out successful faecal transplants before, a therapy that generally involves administering fresh excrement through a tube or directly to the colon."

Oh God - there went my cheese and crackers!     

People have got to stop taking antibiotics for every little thing!  When you destroy the bad bugs in your gut - you destroy the good bugs too!  Bacteria has a symbiotic relationship with our bodies and always has since the beginning of mankind.  This is why I only go to the doctor when I think I am dying - they over-prescribe stuff!

I've had problems with the flora and fawna balance in my gut before - especially when my blood sugar gets out of whack - it's not as quick as antibiotics - but a regimen of probiotics in yogurt, capsules and fermented foods PLUS eating healthy and reducing stress will eventually bring it back to normal. 

Sure, there are things you need antibiotics for - but every time my husband has dental work done, they put him on antibiotics and he gets sick every time. 

Feces donors?  That's just disgusting.  I'd hate to be the poor guy that has to collect that stuff!