Faecal transplantation for Clostridium difficile infection. Three cases treated in Italy

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Five Competing Strategies for the Management of Multiple Recurrent Community-Onset Clostridium difficile Infection in France

Background

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is characterized by high rates of recurrence, resulting in substantial health care costs. The aim of this study was to analyze the cost-effectiveness of treatments for the management of second recurrence of community-onset CDI in France.

Methods

We developed a decision-analytic simulation model to compare 5 treatments for the management of second recurrence of community-onset CDI: pulsed-tapered vancomycin, fidaxomicin, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) via colonoscopy, FMT via duodenal infusion, and FMT via enema. The model outcome was the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER), expressed as cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) among the 5 treatments. ICERs were interpreted using a willingness-to-pay threshold of €32,000/QALY. Uncertainty was evaluated through deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses.

Results

Three strategies were on the efficiency frontier: pulsed-tapered vancomycin, FMT via enema, and FMT via colonoscopy, in order of increasing effectiveness. FMT via duodenal infusion and fidaxomicin were dominated (i.e. less effective and costlier) by FMT via colonoscopy and FMT via enema. FMT via enema compared with pulsed-tapered vancomycin had an ICER of €18,092/QALY. The ICER for FMT via colonoscopy versus FMT via enema was €73,653/QALY. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis with 10,000 Monte Carlo simulations showed that FMT via enema was the most cost-effective strategy in 58% of simulations and FMT via colonoscopy was favored in 19% at a willingness-to-pay threshold of €32,000/QALY.

Conclusions

FMT via enema is the most cost-effective initial strategy for the management of second recurrence of community-onset CDI at a willingness-to-pay threshold of €32,000/QALY.

Fecal microbiota transplantation for severe clostridium difficile infection after left ventricular assist device implantation: a case control study and concise review on the local and regional therapies

Background

We report herein a case of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) used for severe Clostridium difficile infection for a 65-year-old Lebanese man who underwent left ventricular assist device implantation. To the best of our knowledge this is the first case report from Lebanon and the region presenting such technique.

Case presentation

The patient experienced diarrhea and rectal bleeding and was diagnosed of pseudomembranous colitis (PMC). His condition failed to improve on maximal pharmacological therapy. Protocolectomy, an invasive operation consisting in resection of the entire colon and rectum seemed to be the last resort before the patient responded to FMT given through gastroscopy.

Conclusion

Despite the increasing experience with FMT for C. difficile infection, published evidence in severe related cases from this region is very limited. Hence, we promote adjunctive FMT, an effective noninvasive method, to be considered as a promising early treatment option in severe C. difficile infection.

Adverse events in faecal microbiota transplant: a review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Faecal microbiota transplant (FMT) is the infusion of donor faeces into the gut with the aim of improving microbial diversity. The procedure has gained significant interest recently in the treatment of recurrent Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). The literature is currently dominated by small case series and isolated case reports. There is no standardization of methods and recording of outcomes.

AIM

To present the adverse events that have been associated with the use of FMT, as reported in the English literature to date.

METHODS

A database search of Medline and Embase identified publications where FMT has been administered. Review articles were excluded. In total, 109 publications were identified that described the use of FMT in 1555 individuals.

FINDINGS

Other than three small randomized controlled studies, the data consisted of small series and case reports. CDI was the most common indication for FMT (N = 1190), with the majority of the remaining cases receiving FMT for inflammatory bowel disease. FMT had also been applied for irritable bowel syndrome, metabolic syndrome and constipation in small numbers. Adverse events appear to be uncommon, often mild and self-limiting; however, serious adverse events including bacteraemia, perforations and death have been reported.

CONCLUSION

The vast majority of adverse events of FMT appear to be mild, self-limiting and gastrointestinal in nature. In some cases, a credible association was not established due to the lack of controlled data. There is a need for standardized, randomized controlled trials to qualify and quantify the risks associated with FMT.

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation for Clostridium difficile Infection: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

The role of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) for Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is not well-known.

PURPOSE

To assess the efficacy, comparative effectiveness, and harms of FMT for CDI.

DATA SOURCES

MEDLINE (1980 to January 2015), Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov, followed by hand-searching references from systematic reviews and identified studies.

STUDY SELECTION

Any study of FMT to treat adult patients with CDI; case reports were only used to report harms.

DATA EXTRACTION

Data were extracted by 1 author and verified by another; 2 authors independently assessed risk of bias and strength of evidence.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Two randomized, controlled trials (RCTs); 28 case-series studies; and 5 case reports were included. Two RCTs and 21 case-series studies (516 patients receiving FMT) reported using FMT for patients with recurrent CDI. A high proportion of treated patients had symptom resolution; however, the role of previous antimicrobials is unclear. One RCT comparing FMT with 2 control groups (n = 43) reported resolution of symptoms in 81%, 31%, and 23% of the FMT, vancomycin, or vancomycin-plus-bowel lavage groups, respectively (P < 0.001 for both control groups vs. FMT). An RCT comparing FMT route (n = 20) reported no difference between groups (60% in the nasogastric tube group and 80% in the colonoscopy group; P = 0.63). Across all studies for recurrent CDI, symptom resolution was seen in 85% of cases. In 7 case-series studies of patients with refractory CDI, symptom resolution ranged from 0% to 100%. Among 7 patients treated with FMT for initial CDI, results were mixed.

LIMITATION

Most studies were uncontrolled case-series studies; only 2 RCTs were available for analysis.

CONCLUSION

Fecal microbiota transplantation may have a substantial effect with few short-term adverse events for recurrent CDI. Evidence is insufficient on FMT for refractory or initial CDI treatment and on whether effects vary by donor, preparation, or delivery method.

PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.