C. difficile Infection
Recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection is the primary indication for Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT). FMT is the gold standard treatment for recurring episodes.
What is C. difficile infection?
Clostridioides difficile (formerly Clostridium difficile) is a bacterium that causes severe intestinal inflammation.
About the condition
C. difficile is a spore-forming bacterium that can live in the intestines of healthy individuals. Problems arise when antibiotics destroy the normal gut flora, allowing C. difficile to multiply uncontrollably.
Symptoms
- Watery diarrhea (up to 15 times per day)
- Abdominal pain and cramping
- Fever, nausea, loss of appetite
- Blood or mucus in stool
- Dehydration, weakness
Risk factors
- Antibiotic use (especially broad-spectrum)
- Hospitalization and inpatient stays
- Age over 65
- Weakened immune system
Limitations of conventional treatment
Standard treatment involves antibiotics (vancomycin, fidaxomicin). However, in 25–30% of patients, the infection returns.
A vicious cycle: antibiotics → flora destruction → relapse → more antibiotics → another relapse...
Why is FMT the best solution?
FMT breaks the vicious cycle of antibiotics and relapses by restoring the natural balance of the microbiota.
Microbiota imbalance
C. difficile dominates
FMT transplantation
Introduction of healthy microbiota
Balance restored
C. difficile suppression
Mechanism of action
Healthy microbiota competes with C. difficile for nutrients and attachment sites, produces bacteriocins, and restores the protective intestinal barrier.
Advantages of FMT
- Over 90% efficacy for recurrent cases
- Single procedure in most cases
- Minimal side effects
- Long-term microbiome restoration
Proven efficacy
FMT for C. difficile is one of the most studied microbiome therapies with a compelling evidence base.
85.8%
684 Han's United patients, 3 months
FDA
Rebyota (2022), VOWST (2023)
60,000+
OpenBiome doses, 84% cure rate
NEJM
Publications in leading journals
Key studies
- Van Nood et al., NEJM 2013: Landmark RCT — FMT significantly more effective than vancomycin (94% vs 31%) for recurrent CDI
- Hungarian study (Varga et al., 2024): 28 patients, capsule form — 82.14% cure rate (supernatant: 93.75%)
- FDA: Rebyota (November 2022), VOWST (April 2023): First approved microbiota-based products. Human Biome: up to 96% with two courses
- Han's United (Tian Hongliang et al., 2025): 684 patients — 85.8% (3 months), 72.3% (12 months), 67.3% (36 months)
¥28,400 vs $17,500 for VOWST in USA
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Patient story
A real recovery experience after recurrent infection
"After my third C. difficile relapse, antibiotics were no longer working — the infection kept returning within 2–3 weeks. At Han's United, I was prescribed a course of capsule FMT. Within a week, symptoms completely disappeared, and it has been a year and a half with no relapses. It feels like getting a second chance at life."
Li W.
62 years old, Shangrao
* Name changed. Results are individual and may vary.
FMT can also help with:
Microbiome therapy is being studied for many other GI conditions
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Find out if FMT is right for you
If you suffer from recurrent C. difficile infection, schedule a consultation. A doctor will evaluate your situation and explain the treatment options.
Free consultation · We respond within 24 hours
China, Jiangxi Province, Shangrao City, Guangxin District, West Binjiang Road