Mechansims Underpinning Successful Faecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) for Recurrent Clostridium Difficile Infection

Introduction FMT is safe effective treatment for patients with recurrent Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). Microbiota analysis of both donor and recipent stool provides opportunity to better understand the abnormal microbiota of patients with CDI the changes that occur with and factors that determine successful FMT as well as the mechanisms that underpin susceptibility to CDI. Previous studies have suggested a role for bile acid dehydroxylating bacteria in resistance to CDI. Aims To characterise donor microbiota and recipient microbiota changes post FMT. To study the potential role for bile acids and fatty acids in CDI and in response to FMT and the interactions between the microbiota and both bile and fatty acids. Methods FMT was performed in patients with recurrent CDI attending Cork University Hospital.Faecal samples from donors and patient's pre and post FMT. DNA extraction,16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, bile and fatty acid extraction was performed. FMT resulted in partial recovery of microbial diversity and establishment of a more donor-like microbiota. Alpha diversity was significantly decreased (p