A medically supervised procedure that transplants processed fecal material from a carefully screened healthy donor to restore the diversity and function of the patient’s intestinal microbiome.
Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), also called microbiome transfer, involves the introduction of processed fecal material from a thoroughly screened healthy donor into the gastrointestinal tract of a patient with a disrupted microbiome (dysbiosis). The goal is to restore a healthy, diverse microbial community that supports digestion, immune function, and systemic health.
Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), also called microbiome transfer, involves the introduction of processed fecal material from a thoroughly screened healthy donor into the gastrointestinal tract of a patient with a disrupted microbiome (dysbiosis). The goal is to restore a healthy, diverse microbial community that supports digestion, immune function, and systemic health.
Donor material undergoes extensive processing and screening for pathogens before use. The prepared microbiota is delivered to the patient’s gastrointestinal tract via colonoscopy, nasogastric tube, or oral capsules, depending on the clinical indication and patient preference.
The transplanted microorganisms colonize the recipient’s intestine, restoring microbial diversity and reestablishing protective functions including short-chain fatty acid production, bile acid metabolism, pathogen resistance, and immune modulation through the gut-associated lymphoid tissue.
At St. George Hospital, microbiome transfer is considered for:
Microbiome transfer requires careful patient selection and comprehensive stool analysis. Our physicians will evaluate whether this procedure may benefit your specific situation.
The procedure varies depending on the delivery method. Colonoscopic delivery involves standard bowel preparation followed by the transplant procedure, typically completed within 30-60 minutes. Capsule-based delivery is simpler and non-invasive. Patients are monitored following the procedure and may experience mild abdominal discomfort or bloating as the new microbiome establishes. Most symptoms resolve within a few days.
FMT has strong evidence supporting its use for recurrent C. difficile infection, with cure rates exceeding 90% in clinical trials published in the New England Journal of Medicine and The Lancet. Research into broader applications, including inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and metabolic conditions, is actively ongoing. Safety protocols at St. George Hospital include rigorous donor screening for infectious diseases, multidrug-resistant organisms, and metabolic conditions, in accordance with current European and international guidelines.
Contact our medical team to discuss whether microbiome transfer may be appropriate for your gastrointestinal condition.
