Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: the Role of Selection of the Dai Ethnic Group as Donor Source in Terms of Treatment Efficacy and Pathogenic Mechanisms

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), defined as infusion of feces from healthy donors to affected subjects, is a method to restore a balanced gut microbiota and has attracted great interest in recent years due to its efficacy and ease of use.

FMT is now recommended as the most effective therapy for CDI not responding to standard therapies1.Recent studies have suggested that dysbiosis is associated with a variety of disorders, and that FMT could be a useful treatment. Randomized controlled trial has been conducted in a number of disorders including ulcerative colitis (UC). Our study is aims to Fecal microbiota transplantation in the treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, the role of selection of the Dai ethnic group as donor source in terms of treatment efficacy and pathogenic mechanisms.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 18-75 years inclusive (no limit on gender)
• Confirmed diagnosis of ulcerative colitis for > 3 months, according to established clinical,endoscopic and histologic criteria
• Currently active mild-moderate ulcerative colitis, as measured by a Mayo score of 4-10, in which endoscopy sub-score ≥ 1 and physician's global assessment sub-score ≤ 2
• Written informed consent obtained.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Subjects who are unable to give consent or who have conditions rendering them incapable to answer questionnaires or provide samples.
• Females who are pregnant or actively trying to fall pregnant
• Subjects unwilling to practice an effective method of contraception throughout the study period
• Subjects defined as in remission by the investigator
• Evidence or history of toxic megacolon
• Isolated proctitis < 5 cm
• A diagnosis of Crohn's Disease or indeterminate colitis
• Subjects with perianal disease (e.g. fistulae, pre-existing fissures)
• Significant gastrointestinal surgery e.g. colon resection, colectomy :Minor gastrointestinal surgery will be reviewed on a case by case basis by the investigator;Regarding appendicectomy, only exclude patients who had appendicectomy < 3 months ago)
• Subjects taking antimicrobials (antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals) for any reason, including antibiotics for ulcerative colitis, in the preceding 4 weeks
• Subjects who are steroid dependent and requiring > 20mg prednisone or > 9mg budesonide daily at the time of enrolment
• Subjects who have recently taken or are actively taking or expected to require prohibited medication/s during the study period including follow-up. These include:Rectal therapy including corticosteroid, 5-aminosalicylate within 2 weeks before first FMT;Treatment with biologic agents e.g. infliximab, adalimumab, vedolizumab, within 12 weeks before first FMT;Treatment with other major immunosuppressant agents including calcineurin inhibitors, anti-neoplastic agents, lymphocyte depleting biological agents within 12 weeks before first FMT;Probiotic therapy within 4 weeks before first FMT;Experimental / trial drug protocol involvement within 12 weeks before first FMT;Anti-mycobacterial (TB or MAC) therapy within 4 weeks before first FMT

Allowed concomitant medications:

The following drugs are allowed as long as the dose is stable preceding first FMT for the noted time:

• oral 5-aminosalicylates (stable dose for 4 weeks)
• thiopurines and methotrexate (on medication for ≥ 90 days and dose stable for 4 weeks)
• oral prednisolone (dose ≤ 20mg daily and stable for 2 weeks) During the study, subjects should remained on the same dose of oral 5-aminosalicylate, thiopurine, and methotrexate. For oral prednisolone, dose must be tapered at a rate up to 2.5mg per week so that subjects would be steroid-free by week 8.

Prohibited medications:

The following drugs for are prohibited for the noted time:

• Rectal therapies including corticosteroid, 5-aminosalicylate (for 2 weeks before first FMT and during study period)
• Antibiotics, antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, probiotic or prebiotic preparations (for 4 weeks before first FMT and during study period)
• Rectal therapies including corticosteroid, 5-aminosalicylate (for 2 weeks before first FMT and during study period)
• Biological therapies or calcineurin inhibitors (for 12 weeks before first FMT and during study period)