Safety of fecal microbiota transplantation for Clostridioides difficile infection focusing on pathobionts and SARS-CoV-2

Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a consequence of flagrant use of antibiotics, an aging population with increasing comorbidities, and increased hospitalizations. The treatment of choice for CDI is antibiotics (vancomycin or fidaxomicin), with a possibility of recurrent CDI despite lack of additional risk factors for CDI. For the last 10 years, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has emerged as a promising therapy for recurrent CDI, with success rates of over 85% compared with less than 50% with antibiotics for multiple recurrent CDI. Along with the success of FMT, several adverse and serious adverse events with FMT have been reported. These range from self-limiting abdominal pain to death due to severe sepsis. This review focuses on the safety of FMT, emphasizing the reports of transmission of pathobionts like extended-spectrum beta lactamase Escherichia coli and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 is a potential pathogen that could be transmitted via FMT during the COVID-19 pandemic. The challenges faced by clinicians for donor screening, clinical trials, and other aspects of FMT during the pandemic are discussed.