Fecal Transfusion History

The first reference in the medical literature to fecal transfusion, or fecal enema, was in 1958! This article attempts to go over the history of fecal transfusion as it appears in the medical literature. References on fecal transfusion, also called fecal enema or bacteriotherapy, are listed year by year.

1958:
"Fecal Enema as an Adjunct in the Treatment of Pseudomembranous Enterocolitis."
Eiseman B, Silen W, Bascom GS, Kauvar AJ.
Surgery (1958) 44:854-859.

1981:
"Pseudomembranous enterocolitis: Mechanism of Restoring Floral Homeostasis."
Bowden TA, Mansberger AR, Lykins LE.
Am Surg 1981;47:178-83.

Abstract: 16 incurable patients with pseudomembranous enterocolitis were treated with fecal enemas and 13 patients dramatically improved.
(Abstract Ó July 5, 2003 FecalTransfusionFoundation.org.)

1983:
"Relapsing Clostridium difficile Enterocolitis Cured by Rectal Infusion of Homologous Faeces."
Schwan A, Sjolin S, Trottestam U.
Lancet 1983;2(8354):845.

"Rectal infusion of bacterial preparations for intestinal disorders."
Ricci N, Caselli M.
Lancet 1983;ii:1494. 1989:
"Bacteriotherapy for chronic relapsing Clostridium difficile diarrhoea in six patients."
Tvede M, Rask-Madsen
J. Lancet 1989;i:1156-60.

"Bowel flora alteration: A potential cure for inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome?"
Borody TJ, George L, Andrews PJ, et al.
Med J Aust 1989;150:604.

"Treatment of ulcerative colitis by implantation of normal colonic flora."
Bennet JD, Brinkman M.
Lancet 1989;i:164.

1991:
"Untraditional treatment of antibiotic-induced colitis."
Flotterod O, Hopen G. Refractory Clostridium difficile infection.
Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen 1991;111:1364-5.

1992:
"Chronic constipation reversed by restoration of bowel flora. A case and a hypothesis.”
Andrews PJ, Barnes P, Borody TJ.
Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 1992;4:245-7.

1993:
"Putting back the bugs: Bacterial treatment relieves chronic constipation and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome."
Andrews PJ, Borody TJ.
Med J Aust 1993;159:633-4.

1994:
"Putting back the bugs: Bacterial treatment relieves chronic diarrhoea."
Paterson DL, Irdell J, Whitby M.
Med J Aust 1994;160:232-3.

1997:
"Modification of the colonic microflora using probiotics: The way forward?"
Pearce L, Bampton PA, Borody TJ, et al.
Gut 1997;41(suppl 3):A63.

1998:
"Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea treated with homologous feces."
Lund-Tonnesen S, Berstad A, Schreiner A, et al.
Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen 1998;118:1027-30.

"Faecal short-chain fatty acids in patients with antibiotic-associated diarrhoea, before and after faecal enema treatment."
Gustafsson A, Lund-Tonnesn S, Berstad A, et al.
Scand J Gastroenterol 1998;33:721-7.

1999:
"The effect of faecal enema on five microflora-associated characteristics in patients with antibiotic-associated diarrhoea."
Gustaffson A, Berstad A, Lund-Tonnesen S, et al.
Scand J Gastroenterol 1999;34:580-6.

2000:
"Treatment of Recurrent Clostridium difficile-Associated Diarrhea by Administration of Donated Stool Directly Through a Colonoscope."
Persky SE, Brandt LJ.
Division of Gastroenterology, Montefiore Medical Center, The Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10467, USA.
Am J Gastroenterol. 2000 Nov;95(11):3283-5.

Abstract: Dr. Persky and Brandt report for the first time on administering a fecal transfer (fecal enema) by using the colonoscope. They successfully treated Clostridium difficile diarrhea with this technique.
(Abstract (c) July 8, 2003 FecalTransfusionFoundation.org.)

2000:
"'Flora Power"—Fecal Bacteria Cure Chronic C. difficile Diarrhea" (An editorial on the Persky and Brandt article of 2000.)
Thomas J. Borody, M.D., F.R.A.C.P., F.A.C.G.
Am J Gastroenterol. 2000 Nov;95(11):3028-3029.
Available at: http://www-east.elsevier.com/ajg/issues/9511/ajg3277edi.htm

Abstract: This editorial on the Persky and Brandt article is an excellent review. it points out that fecal transfusion is distasteful to some but curative to many. Indeed 60 of 67 patients treated by the procedure were cured. The problem is, that although literally lifesaving, fecal transfusion is not publicized. It also points out that fecal transfusion, fecal enema, or bacteriotherapy, often works whether a pathogen causes an infection is found or not.
(Abstract Ó July 8, 2003 FecalTransfusionFoundation.org.) 2003:
"Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis Using Fecal Bacteriotherapy."
Borody TJ, Warren EF, Leis S, Surace R, Ashman O.
Centre for Digestive Diseases, 144 Great North Rd, Five Dock NSW 2046, Australia.
Clin Gastroenterol. 2003 Jul;37(1):42-7.

Six patients with ulcerative colitis were treated with fecal transfusion after their bowel was prepped with antibiotics and oral polyethylene glycol massage. By four months post-treatment the patients were cured of their ulcerative colitis.
(Abstract Ó July 5, 2003 FecalTransfusionFoundation.org.) Other References:
"Germs That Do a Body Good"
Science News Online, Feb. 2, 2002
http://www.sciencenews.org/20020202/bob9.asp

"Health on the Edge" - May 1, 2002 - Dr. Stephen Byrnes
A short article available at:
http://www.powerhealth.net/archivesmarch-2002.htm

"Strange but True"
Taylor.250x.com/StrangeBut/StrangeButTrue78.html