Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is indicated for certain patients with C. difficile infection and for ulcerative colitis, according to the first Australian expert consensus statements on the treatment.

FMT is recommended for recurrent or refractory C. difficile infection, although antibiotics should remain first-line therapy for an initial episode, according to the working group of gastroenterologists, surgeons, clinical microbiologists and infectious diseases specialists.

In recurrent C. difficile, FMT is associated with a success rate of more than 85%, significantly increasing the likelihood of cure compared with antibiotic therapy, autologous FMT or placebo, the team writes.

And repeated FMT can be undertaken when patients fail to respond to a first transplant, they say.