Would you have a poo transplant to save your life? Many people have, but not many of us know about this unusual procedure, as the thought of poo is such a taboo subject.
Faecal transplants are happening around the world, and are giving high success to curing intestinal infection. Most cases show that people recover within 48 hours of receiving the transplant.
The transplants have been particularly good at curing infections of C. difficile, the superbug, which often takes hold after patients are given large doses of antibiotics that kill off their gut microbes, the good bacteria we are used to hearing about.
By transplanting poo, the gut bacteria can be restored and fight off the C. difficile infection.
Donors are best if they are related to the patient. The faeces are mixed with a saline solution and large particles are removed. There are then a number of ways in which the solution is delivered into the patients colon.
The procedure has been carried out thousands of times with a high success rate. But the idea of poo is just too much for some, so this transplant may be taboo for some time.
To find out more:
Original article: Taboo transplant: How new poo defeats superbugs, New Scientist
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