A comprehensive approach to stool donor screening for faecal microbiota transplantation in China.

BACKGROUND: Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is an effective therapy for recurrent Clostridium difficile infections and chronic gastrointestional infections. However, the risks of FMT and the selection process of suitable donors remain insufficiently characterized. The eligibility rate for screening, underlying microbial basis, and core ethical issues of stool donors for FMT are yet to be elucidated in China. RESULTS: The potential stool donors were screened from December 2017 to December 2019 with the help of an online survey, clinical assessments, and stool and blood testing. Bioinformatics analyses were performed, and the composition and stability of gut microbiota in stool obtained from eligible donors were dynamically observed using metagenomics. Meanwhile, we build a donor microbial evaluation index (DoMEI) for stool donor screening. In the screening process, we also focused on ethical principles and requirements. Of the 2071 participants, 66 donors were selected via the screening process (3.19% success rate). Although there were significant differences in gut microbiota among donors, we found that the changes in the gut microbiota of the same donor were typically more stable than those between donors over time. CONCLUSIONS: DoMEI provides a potential reference index for regular stool donor re-evaluation. In this retrospective study, we summarised the donor recruitment and screening procedure ensuring the safety and tolerability for FMT in China. Based on the latest advances in this field, we carried out rigorous recommendation and method which can assist stool bank and clinicians to screen eligible stool donor for FMT.

Chronic lead poisoning induced abdominal pain and anemia: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Chronic lead poisoning (CLP) is a rare cause of abdominal pain and is common in young children, in whom the incidence is higher than it is in adults. As the symptoms of CLP are nonspecific, misdiagnoses or missed diagnoses often occur, especially in sporadic cases. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a 28-year-old young man who was misdiagnosed with renal colic due to sudden acute abdominal pain. After a detailed medical history and physical examination, other possible causes were excluded, CLP was finally diagnosed, and he recovered after chelation treatment. CONCLUSION: Abdominal pain is a very common clinical symptom in adults, which has many causes. We should be vigilant against chronic poisoning, especially CLP. Detailed diagnosis and physical examination are crucial in early diagnosis and treatment.