Poo transplants can't squeeze out superbugs

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2026-04-21 01:00

International

CC-0. Medical illustration of clindamycin-resistant group B Streptococcus bacteria

An Indian 'gold standard' clinical trial of faecal microbiota transplants (or poo transplants) for the treatment of gastrointenstinal dieases caused by superbugs in 114 people found that a single transplant did not decrease the colonisation of patients' guts by superbugs, or alter the levels of antibiotic resistance genes found in their digestive systems, compared to a sham treatment. However, the patients who received the poo transplant did see an increase in the diversity of their gut bugs, including friendly bacterial species that help keep us healthy. Despite the negative results on superbugs, this study looked at just one transplant, so multiple transplants could potentially be more effective. And the fact that a single transplant increased gut bug diversity in a positive way means we shouldn't give up on poo transplants just yet, the authors conclude.

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Journal/
conference: JAMA Internal Medicine

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: All India Institute of Medical Sciences, India, BRIC Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, India

Funder: This trial was conducted with a financial grant received from the Indian Council of Medical Research (order No. AMR/DHR/GIA/1/ ECD-II-2020). Research activities at Dr Bhabatosh Das’s laboratory were supported by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India.

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