Doctors in the UK are testing “poo pills” containing freeze-dried faeces to combat superbug infections. The treatment involves giving patients pills made from healthy donor stool, which is packed with good bacteria, to help flush out dangerous superbugs from their bowels.
The concept of using faecal transplants to treat severe diarrhoea caused by Clostridium difficile bacteria has already been proven effective. Researchers have now focused on using this approach to tackle drug-resistant infections that are resistant to antibiotics.
In a trial involving 41 patients, the pills showed promising results in reducing superbug populations and promoting a more varied gut microbiome. The study suggests that donor bacteria can compete with superbugs for space on the gut lining, helping to eliminate them or reduce their impact.
The use of “poo pills” could become a new treatment option for people vulnerable to superbug infections, such as those undergoing immunosuppressive medical procedures. With over 450 microbiome medicines currently in development, experts believe that these therapies hold great potential for replacing antibiotics in the future.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyge290l4xo