Fecal Transplantation

[tex]

Lyn,

Thanks for that link.

Tex

[Zizzle]

Thanks for the list of docs. I notice the one in NYC is involved in a blinded clinical trial:

http://www.nature.com/news/faecal-trans ... al-1.12227

[Eric]

I suggest that medical science needs to develop a process whereby... a representative sample of one's microbiota should be preserved, in anticipation of the date when an antibiotic might be needed
Tex

Tex, have you seen any of the research indicating this may actually be the function of the appendix? Some research/anectodal evidence started showing up in 2007 and this article http://www.scientificamerican.com/artic ... could-save refers to some more recent info that seems to back up the theory. The theory is that the appendix maintains a safe supply of our beneficial bacteria. Once an infection is defeated, the appendix can repopulate the gut with good bacteria. This may be the reason why patients without an appendix are twice as likely to have c diff return after treatment. For those who still have their appendix, chronic low levels of benefical bacteria may indicate an infection of some type remains.

[Deb]

That's really interesting, Eric. I was quite uninformed at the time but the Mayo Clinic removed my appendix that had no issues (as a preventative measure) while doing my hysterectomy without telling me beforehand. It pissed me off (I wasn't sure why) but even back then (28 years ago) I had a sense that it wasn't a good idea to randomly whack out organs unnecessarily!

[tex]

Hi Eric,

Yes, I've seen articles about that topic, and I have a hunch that may indeed have been the original purpose of the appendage, but I'm not sure that it can handle an all out onslaught of antibiotics, especially when they are administered by a combination of IV and oral administration, as is common during and after surgery these days.

Tex

[Marie]

interesting