Fecal Microbiota Transplant Is Associated With Resolution of Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the association of fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) therapy, an effective treatment for recurrent Clostridoides difficile colitis, with resolution of recurrent UTI (rUTI).

Methods: A prospectively accrued database of patients who underwent FMT for recurrent C difficile colitis was retrospectively reviewed for individuals with rUTI in the 2 years prior to FMT. rUTI status (defined as two UTI episodes in 6 months or three UTI episodes in 1 year) and UTI frequency in the 2 years prior to the FMT were compared to those in the 2 year follow up period after FMT using the two-tailed Wilcoxin matched pairs signed rank test. A P value <.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: Of 11 patients who had rUTI in the 2 years preceding FMT, no patient had rUTI over the follow up period following FMT (P = .001). The average number of UTIs in the two years prior to FMT was 3.7 (range 2-6), and the average number of UTIs in the follow up period was 0.27 (range 0-1) (P = .001). The Kaplan-Meier estimate, the median time to UTI recurrence, was 19.6 months (95% CI: 15.2-23.9). There was no marked difference in antibiotic susceptibility profiles before and after FMT.

Conclusion: FMT was associated with resolution of rUTI and reduction in UTI frequency in this cohort. The results of this study support the hypothesis that modulation of the gut microbiome may reduce rUTI risk and support a clinical trial to further assess the safety and efficacy of FMT for rUTI.