Transplantament fecal. Mites, realitats i bases microbiològiques

Abstract

The present document compiles the state of the art of the intestinal microbiome and how this knowledge can be used for new treatments against diseases derived from its imbalance. To date, numerous studies about human microbiome have been carried out, in particular the intestinal microbiota, since it is the most abundant in our body and has a critical functional role in nutrition through the transformation and absorption of ingested nutrients with the food. Other important functions, such as the maturation and development of the central nervous system, maintenance the integrity of the epithelial barrier, being a barrier to the colonization of pathogens, etc. are also attributed to the intestinal microbiota. A bacterial dysbiosis (imbalance in the normal structure of the microbial community) in the intestinal area has been related with chronic bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease or Ulcerative Colitis (Clostridium difficile infection). In recent years, thanks to advanced sequencing techniques, the healthy microbiome has been established and defined, which has been further used to look for donors of “good” bacteria. This research focuses on these donations, known as faecal transplant by investigating the microbiological principles, the methodology involved for understanding its functioning and its clinical impact, as well as the risks involved. It is necessary to go deeper in the development of this bacterial-based therapeutic strategy since the abuse in the administration of antibiotics, has generated serious problems with multiresistences which can only be addressed through innovative solutions. Furthermore, C. difficile has become more virulent and the incidence of infection by this bacterium is higher every year. Experiments made with patients suffering from C. difficile infection conclude with a success of approximately 90%. The majority stop having fever, diarrhoea and abdominal pain. This success has to be used to foster deeper research on this topic. In spite of its many advantages and positive effects for humans’ health, as any medical therapy also have its contraindications, which could probably be overcome by promoting research in order to create an optimized protocol and make this therapy global and normalized