Clearance of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae vs vancomycin-resistant enterococci carriage after faecal microbiota transplant: a prospective comparative study

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) carriage are increasing worldwide. Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) appears to be an attractive option for decolonization. This study aimed to evaluate CRE vs VRE clearance by FMT among carriers. A multi-centre trial was undertaken on patients with CRE or VRE digestive tract colonization who received FMT between January 2015 and April 2017. Adult patients with CRE or VRE colonization, confirmed by three consecutive rectal swabs at weekly intervals, including one in the week prior to FMT, were included in the study. Patients with immunosuppression or concomitant antibiotic prescription at the time of FMT were excluded. Successful decolonization was determined by at least two consecutive negative rectal swabs [polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and culture] on Days 7, 14, 21 and 28, and monthly for three months following FMT. Seventeen patients were included, with a median age of 73 years [interquartile range (IQR) 64.3–79.0]. Median duration of carriage of CRE or VRE before FMT was 62.5 days (IQR 57.0–77.5). One week after FMT, three of eight patients were free of CRE colonization and three of nine patients were free of VRE colonization. After three months, four of eight patients were free of CRE colonization and seven of eight patients were free of VRE colonization. Qualitative PCR results were concordant with culture. Six patients received antibiotics during follow-up, three in each group. No adverse events were reported. CRE and VRE clearance rates were not significantly different in this study, possibly due to the small sample size, but a trend was observed. These data should be confirmed by larger cohorts and randomized trials.