The effect of faecal enema on five microflora-associated characteristics in patients with antibiotic-associated diarrhoea

Background: Patients with antibiotic-associated diarrhoea (AAD) show signif icant disturbances in short-chain fatty acid pattern. In the present study five more microflora-associated characteristics (MACs) were investigated be fore and after administration of an enema containing faecal microflora from a healthy person on a Western diet. Methods: The functions of the microflo ra were determined with gas chromatography, electrophoresis, and spectropho tometry. Results: The conversion of cholesterol to coprostanol and the conc entration of urobilinogen and trypsin were significantly reduced in compari son with healthy persons. The pattern of mucin was altered, but beta-aspart ylglycine remained the same as in healthy persons. Enema treatment influenc ed these functions to different extents. Conclusion: Most MACs were signifi cantly disturbed in patients with AAD. Administration of a human faecal ene ma modified these changes and relieved diarrhoea, usually within 4 days.