BACKGROUND

infection (CDI) represents a prevalent and potentially severe health concern linked to the usage of broad-spectrum antibiotics. The aim of this study was to evaluate a new lyophilized product based on human fecal microbiota for transplant, including cost-benefit analysis in the treatment of recurrent or refractory CDI.

METHODS

The product for fecal microbiota transplant was obtained from two donors. Microbiological, viability, and genomic analysis were evaluated. After validation, a clinical pilot study including recurrent or refractory CDI with 24 patients was performed. Clinical response and 4-week recurrence were the outcome. Cost-benefit analysis compared the fecal microbiota transplant with conventional retreatment with vancomycin or metronidazole.

RESULTS

The microbiota for transplant presented significant bacterial viability, with and adequate balance of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. The clinical response with the microbiota transplant was 92%. In financial terms, estimated expenditure for CDI solely related to recurrence, based on stochastic modeling, totals USD 222.8 million per year in Brazil.

CONCLUSIONS

The lyophilized human fecal microbiota for transplant is safe and can be an important step for a new product with low cost, even with genomic sequencing. Fecal microbiota transplantation emerges as a more cost-effective alternative compared to antimicrobials in the retreatment of CDI.