Tandem fecal microbiota transplantation cycles in an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipient targeting carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae colonization: a case report and literature review

Abstract

Background: Due to limited antibiotic options, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) infections are associated with high non-relapse mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Also, intestinal CRE colonization is a risk factor for subsequent CRE infection. Several clinical studies have reported successful fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) for the gut decontamination of a variety of multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDRB), even in immunosuppressed patients. Similarly, other studies have also indicated that multiple FMTs may increase or lead to successful therapeutic outcomes. Case presentation: We report CRE colonization in an allo-HSCT patient with recurrent CRE infections, and its successful eradication using tandem FMT cycles at 488 days after allo-HSCT. We also performed a comprehensive microbiota analysis. No acute or delayed adverse events (AEs) were observed. The patient remained clinically stable with CRE-negative stool culture at 26-month follow-up. Our analyses also showed some gut microbiota reconstruction. We also reviewed the current literature on decolonization strategies for CRE. Conclusions: CRE colonization led to a high no-relapse mortality after allo-HSCT; however, well-established decolonization strategies are currently lacking. The successful decolonization of this patient suggests that multiple FMT cycles may be potential options for CRE decolonization.