Poop pills vs. superbugs: can a fecal transplant clear Drug-Resistant bacteria?
NCT ID NCT05632315
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This phase II trial tests whether a fecal microbiota transplant (using donor stool) can help eliminate multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) from the gut of infected patients. 32 adults with resistant bacterial infections will receive the transplant plus standard antibiotics. The goal is to see if the treatment clears the superbugs and reduces the spread of resistance.
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 transplant (Penn Microbiome Therapy)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a way to reduce dangerous antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the gut, potentially lowering infection risk.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase trial with only 32 people. The treatment may not work for everyone, and there are risks like infection or side effects from the transplant.
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.
- Phase
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Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
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32 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Aug 2024
- Expected to finish
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Aug 2026
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.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- 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: 1. Multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) infection of the bloodstream, respiratory tract, or urinary tract. Qualifying MDROs include extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacterales (ESCRE) or carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE), Pseudomonas aeruginosa non-susceptible to two or more classes of antibiotics (MDR-PA), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). 2. On appropriate antibiotic treatment per clinical phenotypic susceptibility testing of the qualifying MDRO, and with a qualifying antibiotic class. Qualifying antibiotic classes include beta-lactam + beta-lactamase inhibitor, carbapenem (with or without betalactamase inhibitor), fluoroquinolone, lipopeptide, glycopeptide, or oxazolidinone. 3. Expected duration of inpatient antibiotic treatment for index MDRO infection at least 5 days total. 4. At least two calendar days remaining, and no more than 7 calendar days remaining prior to SCAIM (scheduled completion of inpatient appropriate antibiotics for the index MDRO infection). 5. Age ≥ 18 years. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Evidence of colon/small bowel perforation at the time of study screening. 2. Unable to tolerate enteral and enema nutrition and medication administration (i.e., only able to tolerate intravenous nutrition and medications). 3. Goals of care are directed to comfort rather than curative measures. 4. Moderate or severe neutropenia within 10 calendar days prior to enrollment. 5. Known food allergy that could lead to anaphylaxis. 6. Known allergy to fecal microbiota transplant products or their components 7. Pregnancy or lactation 1. For subjects of childbearing potential (ages 18 to 55) and who are randomized to receive the intervention, the subject must have a negative pregnancy test within 24 hours prior to product administration 2. Female or male subjects (ages 18 to 55) of reproductive potential engaged in active sexual activity that could lead to a pregnancy must agree to use one of the following forms of birth control while receiving study medications and through day 28 following completion of treatment, at minimum: i. Male or female condoms ii. Diaphragm or cervical cap with spermicide, if available iii. Intrauterine device (IUD) iv. Oral contraceptives or other hormonal contraception 8. Known gastrointestinal disease that could affect the safety of fecal microbiota transplant at time of enrollment: 1. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) 2. Short Gut Syndrome 3. Fistulas 4. Bowel resection surgery 5. Colitis
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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.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Emory University - Grady Memorial Hospital
Atlanta, Georgia, 30303, United States
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Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States
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Washington University
St Louis, Missouri, 63110, United States
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