A 68-year old woman patient was a 10-year diagnosed victim of refractory celiac disease on a gluten-free diet. On admission for treatment of severe diarrhea, the patient exhibited Marsh IIIA villous atrophy. The patient was already receiving on-going treatment for refractory celiac disease with drugs. Additional drugs and Antibiotics were given to treat the diarrhea. Eventually, the patient tested positive for C. difficile. Antibiotics were ineffective to treat the recurrent C. difficile infection. A fecal microbiota transfer was then performed. The C. difficile infection and diarrhea resolved, and, 6 months after the fecal transplant, villous atrophy resolved and went to Marsh 0. All symptoms of refractory celiac disease were eliminated. The patient remains symptom free on a continuing gluten-free diet.
The case clearly demonstrates the need to fully investigate the use of fecal microbiota transfers to treat celiac disease.