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Bénard MV, de Bruijn CMA, Fenneman AC, Wortelboer K, Zeevenhoven J, Rethans B, Herrema HJ, van Gool T, Nieuwdorp M, Benninga MA, Ponsioen CY. Challenges and costs of donor screening for fecal microbiota transplantations. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0276323. [PMID: 36264933 PMCID: PMC9584411 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0276323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The increasing interest to perform and investigate the efficacy of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has generated an urge for feasible donor screening. We report our experience with stool donor recruitment, screening, follow-up, and associated costs in the context of clinical FMT trials. METHODS Potential stool donors, aged between 18-65 years, underwent a stepwise screening process starting with an extensive questionnaire followed by feces and blood investigations. When eligible, donors were rescreened for MDROs and SARS-CoV-2 every 60-days, and full rescreening every 4-6 months. The costs to find and retain a stool donor were calculated. RESULTS From January 2018 to August 2021, 393 potential donors underwent prescreening, of which 202 (51.4%) did not proceed primarily due to loss to follow-up, medication use, or logistic reasons (e.g. COVID-19 measures). 191 potential donors filled in the questionnaire, of which 43 (22.5%) were excluded. The remaining 148 candidates underwent parasitology screening: 91 (61.5%) were excluded, mostly due to Dientamoeba fragilis and/or high amounts of Blastocystis spp. After additional feces investigations 18/57 (31.6%) potential donors were excluded (mainly for presence of Helicobacter Pylori and ESBL-producing organisms). One donor failed serum testing. Overall, 38 out of 393 (10%) potential donors were enrolled. The median participation time of active stool donors was 13 months. To recruit 38 stool donors, €64.112 was spent. CONCLUSION Recruitment of stool donors for FMT is challenging. In our Dutch cohort, failed eligibility of potential donors was often caused by the presence of the protozoa Dientamoeba fragilis and Blastocystis spp.. The exclusion of potential donors that carry these protozoa, especially Blastocystis spp., is questionable and deserves reconsideration. High-quality donor screening is associated with substantial costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mèlanie V. Bénard
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism (AGEM), Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
| | - Clara M. A. de Bruijn
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism (AGEM), Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Reproduction & Development Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Aline C. Fenneman
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism (AGEM), Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Vascular Medicine, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences (ACS), Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Koen Wortelboer
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Vascular Medicine, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences (ACS), Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Judith Zeevenhoven
- Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bente Rethans
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism (AGEM), Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hilde J. Herrema
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Vascular Medicine, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences (ACS), Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tom van Gool
- Section Clinical Parasitology, Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Max Nieuwdorp
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Vascular Medicine, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences (ACS), Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marc A. Benninga
- Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Cyriel Y. Ponsioen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism (AGEM), Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Zhao J, Chen M, Wang X, Ye K, Shi S, Li H, Wang J, Chen X, Ni J, Wei Q, Shi Y, Hu Y, Sun J, Li D, Liu S, Li Z, Zheng H, Yu SG. Efficacy of acupuncture in refractory irritable bowel syndrome: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e045655. [PMID: 34518248 PMCID: PMC8438864 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-045655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common chronic functional gastrointestinal disorder that presents with abdominal pain/discomfort and altered bowel patterns. IBS has multiple potential causes for which conventional medicines have had limited success, resulting in a significant number of patients who do not sensitively respond to pharmacotherapy for a period of 12 months and who develop a continuing symptom profile (described as refractory IBS) and seek help through (non)pharmacological treatments. The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture therapy for refractory IBS on the basis of conventional treatments. METHODS AND ANALYSIS A total of 170 eligible patients who meet the Rome IV criteria for refractory IBS will be randomly allocated to receive acupuncture or sham acupuncture. Each patient will receive 12 sessions of acupuncture over 4 weeks and a 4-week follow-up. The primary outcome will be the IBS Symptom Severity Score. Secondary outcomes will include the proportion of participants experiencing adequate relief of global IBS symptoms, the weekly frequency of defecation, the stool properties assessed by the Bristol Grading Scale, the Work and Social Adjustment Scale, the IBS-Quality of Life score, and the Self-Rating Depression Scale and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale anxiety and depression scores. Outcome measures will be collected at baseline, 2 and 4 weeks of the intervention, and 6 and 8 weeks after the intervention. Categorical variables will be compared with Fisher's exact test or the Wilcoxon rank-sum test, and continuous variables will be compared using Student's t-test or the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The entire project has been approved by the ethics committees of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (2020BZYLL0507) and Sichuan Province Regional Institution for Conducting Research on Traditional Chinese Medicine (2020KL-025). The outcomes of the trial will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT04276961.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Zhao
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Min Chen
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Capital Medical University Affiliated Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Kun Ye
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Suhua Shi
- Department of Rehabilitation, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Huixia Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jianfang Wang
- Department of Spleen, Stomach, Liver and Gallbladder Diseases, Dongfang Hospital Affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaowei Chen
- Department of Spleen, Stomach, Liver and Gallbladder Diseases, Dongfang Hospital Affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jinxia Ni
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Dongzhimen Hospital Affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Qingshuang Wei
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yunzhou Shi
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yu Hu
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jingwen Sun
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Da Li
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Dongzhimen Hospital Affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Siyuan Liu
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Zhigang Li
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Hui Zheng
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Shu-Guang Yu
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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