Scientists probe why poop transplants work for gut infections
NCT ID NCT05739825
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tracks how fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) alters the gut microbiome in 20 adults with recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection. Researchers will analyze stool samples before and up to 90 days after FMT to see which bacteria take hold. The goal is to understand why FMT is so effective, not to test a new treatment.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from healthy donors
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could help explain why FMT works for recurrent C. difficile infections, potentially leading to better treatments.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small, early-stage study (20 people) that only observes microbiome changes. It does not test a new treatment or measure clinical outcomes directly.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Participants
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About 20 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Feb 2023
- Expected to finish
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Feb 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
Who is studied
Patients with recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection, treated with FMT
- Ages
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18 to 90 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection * Age between 18 and 90 years old * Ability to provide written informed consent * Ability to be compliant with the scheduled procedures Exclusion Criteria: * Another known gastrointestinal infection apart from C. difficile infection . Known active gastrointestinal disorders (e.g. infectious gastroenteritis, coeliac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic pancreatitis, biliary salt diarrhoea) * Previous colorectal surgery or cutaneous stoma * Current or recent (\< 6 weeks) therapy with drugs that could possibly alter gut microbiota (e.g. antimicrobials, probiotics) * Decompensated heart failure or heart disease with ejection fraction lower than 30% * Severe respiratory insufficiency * Psychiatric disorders * Pregnancy or breastfeeding * Unable to give informed consent
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS
RECRUITINGRoma, Italy
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- New pill aims to break the cycle of repeat c. diff infections
- New drug combo shows promise against deadly gut infection
- Poop pills aim to break the cycle of recurrent c. diff
- Can a stool test predict c. Diff's return?
- Promising c. diff drug trial halted after just 3 patients
- Could a cocktail of good bacteria break the cycle of c. diff?