S2941 Fecal Microbiota Transplant in Recurrent Clostridium difficile Enteritis Following Colectomy

Abstract

Introduction: Fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) is well-known as treatment for recurrent Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). It is curative in 80% of severe or fulminant CDI cases. In this case, we explore the utility of FMT in a patient with recurrent C. diff enteritis (CDE) after colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis. Case Description/Methods: A 46 yr old woman underwent abdominal colectomy with ileostomy 05/2020 with ileorectal anastomosis 07/2020 for severe colonic inertia and h/o ligament release for Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome in 2/2021. She initially presented with RUQ abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea during the 1st episode of CDI in 10/2020 which was treated with Vancomycin 125mg PO QID for 10 days. Symptoms recurred a month later, C. diff toxin (CDT)+, and this 2nd episode was treated with 3 weeks of Vancomycin 125mg PO QID. Symptoms resolved but recurred 5 months later with hospital admission, again CDT+. CBC and renal function were normal. CT abdomen/pelvis showed nonspecific prominent fluid-filled loops of proximal and mid small bowel consistent with focal ileus or enteritis. Patient was treated for the 3rd time on a prolonged Vancomycin taper (125mg QID x 10 days, 125mg TID x 7 days, 125mg BID x 7 days, 125mg QD x 7 days, 125mg QOD x 14 days) with plans for FMT. She was readmitted 2 months later for pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, CDT-, and underwent planned FMT. FMT was performed via flexible sigmoidoscopy reaching 70cm proximal to the anus with 250cc of donor fecal material mixed with saline (Open Biome). Since FMT, patient has reported resolution of symptoms. Discussion: FMT for recurrent CDI in patients s/p colectomy is not well-documented. A small series of patients s/p colectomy over 20 years showed recurrent CDE does occur after colectomy, and results in severe disease in half of patients, requiring hospitalization in 81%. Risk factors for CDE were colectomy for IBD, colectomy for fulminant CDI, β-lactam use with enteral feeds, and acid suppression after colectomy. Cases of fulminant CDE with multiorgan failure and death have been reported (diagnosed post-mortem). A young man with UC s/p colectomy with IPAA with recurrent CDE was effectively treated with FMT. While rare, recurrent CDE is potentially fatal and warrants consideration of FMT as a treatment modality. Though our patient did not have IBD, was not immunosuppressed and underwent colectomy for reasons unrelated to IBD, the recurrent CDE was effectively treated with FMT.