Doctors trialling 'poo pills' to flush out dangerous superbugs

Doctors in the United Kingdom are exploring an innovative treatment to combat dangerous superbug infections using what are called 'poo pills. ' These pills contain freeze-dried fecal matter from healthy donors, packed with beneficial bacteria that can help restore balance in the gut. Superbugs are bacteria that have become resistant to antibiotics, making infections difficult to treat. The gut, or bowels, is considered the largest reservoir of antibiotic resistance in humans, meaning it harbors many of these resistant bacteria. Dr. Blair Merrick, who is leading trials at Guy's and St Thomas' hospitals, explains that these superbugs can leave the intestines and cause infections in other parts of the body, such as the urinary tract or bloodstream. The goal of the poo pills is to flush out these harmful bacteria and replace them with healthy gut microbes.

The concept of using fecal matter to treat infections is not entirely new. Fecal transplants, sometimes humorously called 'trans-poo-tions,' have been used to treat severe diarrhea caused by Clostridium difficile bacteria. Researchers noticed that patients treated with fecal transplants for C. difficile also seemed to lose their superbug infections. Building on this observation, new research has focused on patients who had drug-resistant bacterial infections within the past six months. These patients were given pills made from stool donated to a stool bank. Each stool sample undergoes rigorous testing to ensure it is free from harmful pathogens. The stool is then freeze-dried into a powder and encapsulated in a pill designed to survive the acidic environment of the stomach and dissolve in the intestines, where it releases the beneficial bacteria.

So far, 41 patients at Guy's and St Thomas' hospitals have participated in trials to test the safety and effectiveness of the poo pills. The results are promising, showing that patients are willing to take the pills and that the donor bacteria can survive in the gut for at least a month after treatment. Dr. Merrick suggests that the donor bacteria may compete with the superbugs for space and nutrients in the gut, potentially reducing or eliminating the harmful bacteria. Additionally, the treatment appears to increase the diversity of gut bacteria, which is a positive sign of gut health and may help prevent new infections. This research reflects a growing understanding that bacteria and other microbes living in our bodies, known as the microbiome, play a crucial role in our overall health. If further studies confirm the effectiveness of poo pills, they could become a valuable tool for both treating and preventing superbug infections, especially in vulnerable patients undergoing treatments that weaken the immune system.