title: Fecal Microbiota Transplantation Using Upper Gastrointestinal Tract for the Treatment of Refractory or Severe Complicated Clostridium difficile Infection in Elderly Patients in Poor Medical Condition: The First Study in an Asian Country.
abstract: Background and Aims. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a highly effective treatment option for refractory Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). FMT may be challenging in patients with a low performance status, because of their poor medical condition. The aims of this study were to describe our experience treating patients in poor medical condition with refractory or severe complicated CDI using FMT via the upper GI tract route. Methods. This study was a retrospective review of seven elderly patients with refractory or severe complicated CDI and a poor medical condition who were treated with FMT through the upper GI tract route from May 2012 through August 2013. The outcomes studied included the cure rate of CDI and adverse events. Results. Of these seven patients who received FMT via the upper GI tract route, all patients were cured. During the 11-month follow-up period, CDI recurrence was observed in two patients; rescue FMT was performed in these patients, which led to a full cure. Vomiting was observed in two patients. Conclusions. FMT via the upper gastrointestinal tract route may be effective for the treatment of refractory or severe complicated CDI in patients with a low performance status. Physicians should be aware of adverse events, especially vomiting.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpodaero, Seocho-gu, Seoul 137-070, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Tae-Geun
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Gweon
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpodaero, Seocho-gu, Seoul 137-070, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jinsu
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpodaero, Seocho-gu, Seoul 137-070, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Chul-Hyun
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpodaero, Seocho-gu, Seoul 137-070, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jae Myung
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpodaero, Seocho-gu, Seoul 137-070, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Dong-Gun
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpodaero, Seocho-gu, Seoul 137-070, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: In Seok
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpodaero, Seocho-gu, Seoul 137-070, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Young-Seok
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpodaero, Seocho-gu, Seoul 137-070, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sang Woo
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpodaero, Seocho-gu, Seoul 137-070, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Myung-Gyu
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Choi