What is Faecal Microbiota Transplant (FMT) and Its Cost?

Understanding Faecal Microbiota Transplant (FMT) and Its Price Estimation

Have you ever heard that innovative treatments are currently bringing rapid relief from severe conditions, after antibiotics failed to treat intestinal issues? It happened in Delhi. A 78-year-old resident recovered from C. difficile infection through Faecal Microbiota Transplant in delhi. Before it's too late, understand faecal microbiota transplant and how much it costs in India.   

What is Faecal Microbiota Transplant (FMT)? 

Faecal microbiota transplant (FMT) is a clinical procedure in which a small sample of stool from a healthy donor is administered and processed into the gastrointestinal tract of the patient. The primary goal of this medical procedure is to restore beneficial microbes. FMT transfers beneficial microbes from a healthy donor to restore microbial diversity and balance in the recipient’s gut. 

This transplantation helps alleviate infection or disease symptoms, for example, to treat recurrent C. diff infections. FMT manages the overgrowth of harmful bacteria by replenishing the natural flora of the gastrointestinal tract. Both adults and children can undergo this treatment.

What is the Cost of Faecal Microbiota Transplantation?

Faecal microbiota transplant may cost over Rs. 25,000 for each session in India.  Depending on the patient's condition or disease severity, doctors prescribe sessions for treatment. For instance,

• To treat Pseudomembranous colitis, 1 round of FMT typically contributes to patient response.
• However, for alcoholic hepatitis, doctors preferred around 3 sessions of PMT.
• For treating Clostridium Difficile Colitis infection of a 56-year-old patientin Mumbai performed 2 sessions of FMT, and the patient responded well.   

This price range gives an idea of the average treatment cost. FMT costs depend on the sessions required, the clinic location, the screening process of the donor and the delivery method. To know the accurate cost structure of FMT, kindly discuss with your doctor.

How Does Faecal Microbiota Work?

FMT focuses on re-establishing the physiological microbial equilibrium to modulate the gut environment and influence metabolism. This treatment method also impacts gut barrier functions and immune response.

Faecal material of the donor tends to be meticulously processed and screened. Several routes, including nasogastric tube, colonoscopy, an enema or oral capsules, can administer it with clinical consideration and distinct advantages. Following the transplant, patients may receive relief from diarrhoea, stomach discomfort and bloating within a few weeks or days.

What Diseases Can be Treated with Faecal Microbiota Transplant?

FMT is primarily recommended for recurrent Clostridium difficile infections, especially when standard antibiotic treatments fail to prevent relapse. However, this transplantation can treat many conditions, such as.

• Inflammatory bowel diseases, including Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis
• Obesity
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Diabetes
• Liver disease
• Anxiety disorder
• Food allergies
• Autism spectrum disorder
• Multi sclerosis

What are the 3 Major Benefits of FMT?

Here are 3 major benefits of FMT.

1. Rapid Relief: Patients experience rapid improvement of symptoms within the first 4 to 5 days after a session.
2. High Success Rate: Highly effective for treating recurrent C. diff infection.
3. Wide Range of Application: Effectively treats multiple systemic and gut-related conditions.

What are the Possible Complications of Faecal Microbiota Transplantation?

After receiving FMT via colonoscopy, patients can temporarily experience side effects.

• Gas and swelling in the abdomen
• Pain due to air stuck in the intestine
• Irregular bowel
• Transplant fluid leakage from the rectum

Possible complications of the treatment method are the following.

• Risk of infections from the donor
• Changes in metabolism or the immune system  response
• Long-term health risk

Faecal microbiota transplant reproduces good bacteria to deliver advantageous health outcomes. Gut microbiota and the human immune system respond intimately, affecting immunological responses and inflammation. FMT can alter immune function since it boosts tolerance and reduces the inflammatory process of disorders.