Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in Irritable Bowel Syndrome With Bloating
Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in Irritable Bowel Syndrome With Bloating
Intestinal microbiota dysbiosis is thought to play an important role in the complex
 pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), especially in diarrhoea-predominant IBS
 and possibly in IBS with severe bloating. Fecal microbiota transplantation or FMT has been
 shown to be an effective means of correcting this imbalance in the gut microbiota, especially
 in patients with recurrent Clostridium difficile infections where it has become a preferred
 treatment strategy.

 In a preliminary pilot study in 12 patients we found that FMT was a safe and accepted therapy
 in IBS patients. In 75% of patients an amelioration of IBS symptoms in general and abdominal
 bloating was seen three months after transplantation.

 In this study the effects of FMT on patients with IBS without constipation and bloating will
 be investigated in a double blind, placebo controlled RCT.
Intestinal microbiota dysbiosis is thought to play an important role in the complex
 pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), especially in diarrhoea-predominant IBS
 and possibly in IBS with severe bloating. Fecal microbiota transplantation or FMT has been
 shown to be an effective means of correcting this imbalance in the gut microbiota, especially
 in patients with recurrent Clostridium difficile infections where it has become a preferred
 treatment strategy.

 In a preliminary pilot study in 12 patients we found that FMT was a safe and accepted therapy
 in IBS patients. In 75% of patients an amelioration of IBS symptoms in general and abdominal
 bloating was seen three months after transplantation.

 In this study the effects of FMT on patients with IBS without constipation and bloating will
 be investigated in a double blind, placebo controlled RCT. Donors for this study will be
 recruited from a healthy donor pool who will donate stool after clearance of a strict
 inclusion protocol which will assess the presence of any infectious diseases. Stool will be
 frozen following the protocol described in Hamilton et al 2012. Patients will deliver a stool
 portion that will be frozen as well.

 At time of FMT, patients will be randomised in a double blinded fashion to the treatment arm
 (healthy donor stool) or placebo arm (own stool). Transplantation will be preformed by means
 of a colonoscopy with deliverance in the right colon and ileum.

 Following FMT patients will be followed clinically with questionnaires and regular visits to
 the clinic. Stool samples will be collected on a regular basis for microbiome analysis.

 At the end of the study, patients from the placebo-group will be given the opportunity to be
 transplanted with healthy donor stool if necessary. Follow-up will continu for a total
 duration of one year.
1. Inclusion Criteria for patients:

 -  signed informed consent

 -  Irritable bowel syndrome with predominant diarrhoea as defined by the ROME III
 criteria and with symptoms of abdominal bloating

 -  IBS symptom score > 3 on at least 2 subscores (abdominal discomfort, abdominal
 bloating, abdominal pain, urgency, stool frequency, stool consistency)

 2. Exclusion Criteria for patients:

 -  predominant constipation as defined by Rome III criteria

 -  pregnancy or inadequate anti conception for the duration of the trial

 -  celiac disease

 -  any contra-indications for colonoscopy

 -  structural abnormalities of the colon (e.g. ileocecal resection, gastric bypass)

 -  severe gastro-intestinal comorbidities (e.g. IBD, coloncarcinoma)

 -  non gastro-intestinal malignancy

 -  severe psychiatric comorbidity which had important effects on the quality of life

 -  antimicrobial treatment 4 weeks prior to screening visit

 -  treatment with probiotics 2 weeks prior to screening visit

 -  recent diagnosis of lactose intolerance (< 3 months before screening visit)

 -  any severe comorbidity that might interfere with the study course as determined
 by the treating physician

 3. Inclusion criteria for donors

 -  age 18 - 75 years

 -  signed informed consent

 -  normal screening protocol which includes screening for infectious diseases (eg.
 blood HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis B or C; stool: enteropathogens, clostridium, ESBL,
 CPE)

 4. Exclusion criteria for donors

 -  presence of gastrointestinal symptoms

 -  gastro-intestinal or other important comorbidity

 -  obesity or metabolic syndrome

 -  history of malignancy both gastrointestinal or systemic

 -  presence of known colon polyps

 -  recent placing of piercings/tattoos

 -  sexual risk behaviour

 -  antimicrobial therapy 3 months prior to donation