A deadly hospital superbug could be treated using capsules of frozen faeces from healthy people, a new study has found. The gut infection Clostridium difficule (C. difficile) can be life-threatening, especially in the elderly. But scientists in the US found introducing 'normal' gut bacteria from a healthy donor's excrement, rebalanced a C. difficile patient's system, curing their illness. They successfully cured 18 of 20 patients who took part in the study at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston of their diarrohea, improving their condition. A new study has found capsules of frozen facecal matter from healthy donors can cure C. difficile patients of their severe diarrhoea. Doctors in the US cured 18 of the 20 patients taking part in their research. (File picture)
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Introducing 'normal' gut bacteria from healthy donors' excrement helps 'rebalance' a C. difficile patient's system curing their diarrhoea
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Doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston cured 18 of 20 patients who took part in their study
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C. difficile can be life-threatening, especially in the elderly
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In healthy people the bacteria lies harmlessly in the gut
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Feared infection caused when antibiotics upset the balance of the gut allowing C. difficile to multiply causing severe diarrhoea
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Researchers warn people must not attempt 'home brew' capsules
While natural bacteria that protect against infection are decimated by the drugs, @placeholder multiply.