Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), also known as Microbiota Restoration Therapy (MRT) is a therapeutic procedure in which either processed or unprocessed stool from a carefully screened healthy donor is transferred into the gastrointestinal tract of a recipient to restore the composition and function of the gut microbiota.
The transplanted microbial community, comprising bacteria, viruses, fungi and other microorganisms, aims to re-establish a healthy intestinal ecosystem, particularly when the recipient’s microbiota has been disrupted (dysbiosis), for example following antibiotic treatment. Donor stool undergoes rigorous screening and laboratory processing to minimize the risk of transmitting infectious agents before administration via colonoscopy, enema, nasoenteric tube, or oral capsules.
FMT is an established treatment to prevent recurrent or refractory Clostridioides difficile infection, where it has demonstrated high clinical effectiveness, following standard-of-care antimicrobial therapy in restoring microbial diversity and preventing further recurrence. It is also being investigated for a range of other conditions in multiple disciplines of medicine associated with dysbiosis, although evidence for these indications remains limited and is considered experimental. As interest in microbiome-based therapeutics grows, FMT has become an important proof of concept for manipulating the human intestinal microbiome to treat disease, while highlighting the need for standardized understanding of dysbiosis related to specific disorders, donor screening, manufacturing processes and long-term safety monitoring.