mikrobiotasiirto

Mikrobiotasiirto, also known as fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), is a medical procedure that involves the transfer of a fecal sample from a healthy donor to a recipient. The primary goal of this procedure is to restore a healthy and balanced composition of microorganisms in the recipient's gut, a community collectively known as the gut microbiota. This is typically achieved by introducing beneficial bacteria and other microbes from the donor's stool into the recipient's gastrointestinal tract.

The most well-established and effective application of mikrobiotasiirto is in the treatment of recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). CDI is a severe intestinal infection that can occur after a course of antibiotics has disrupted the normal gut flora, allowing C. difficile bacteria to proliferate and produce toxins. FMT has demonstrated high success rates in clearing these infections and preventing their recurrence when other treatments have failed.

The procedure itself can be performed through various methods, including colonoscopy, nasogastric or nasoduodenal tubes, or increasingly, as encapsulated fecal matter taken orally. The donor screening process is rigorous, involving extensive medical history review and infectious disease testing to ensure the safety of the transplanted microbiota. While research is ongoing into its potential benefits for other conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and certain metabolic disorders, its current primary indication remains recurrent CDI.