The Italian National Faecal Microbiota Transplantation Program: a coordinated effort against C. difficile infection

Abstract

Clostridioides (previously Clostridium) difficile infection (CDI) is a common cause of antibiotic-
associated diarrhea, whose symptoms range from mild diarrhea to life-threatening
pseudomembranous colitis. CDI is characterized by significant recurrence rate following
initial resolution and recurrent C. difficile infection (rCDI) represents an onerous burden
for the healthcare systems. Conventional antibiotic‐based approaches are generally used
for the treatment of rCDI but the effective therapy remains elusive. Recently, the faecal
microbiota transplantation (FMT) has emerged as an alternative therapeutic strategy
against rCDI, with high treatment success rate. In 2018, the Italian National FMT Program
was launched, with the aim to provide high quality standards in FMT application
to adults with rCDI not responding to antibiotic therapy. Here, we sketch out the key
characteristics and the progress of the Italian National FMT Program during the COVID-
19 pandemic.