Preliminary experience with single fecal microbiota transplant for treatment of recurrent overt hepatic encephalopathy—A case series

Abstract

Experimental studies demonstrated that fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) may reverse intestinal microbial dysbiosis. In this retrospective case series, we share our experience of treating recurrent overt hepatic encephalopathy (HE) with single FMT treatment. A total of 10 patients, age ranged from 25 to 65 years, were treated with single FMT through colonoscopy using fecal material received from rigorously screened patient-identified donors. There was sustained clinical response with single FMT treatment in 6 patients at post-treatment week 20. Arterial ammonia concentration decreased considerably (96 [87.25–117.75] vs. 74 [70–82]; p = 0.024) at post-treatment week 20. Moreover, there was statistically significant decrease in Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) score (9.5 [9–10.75] vs. 8 [7–8]; p = 0.005) and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score (18 [16.25–19] vs. 15 [14–16]; p = 0.008). Four patients experienced six adverse-events. Overt HE and re-hospitalization were observed in 3 and 2 patients, respectively. One patient (who also experienced overt HE) died within 2 months of the index procedure.