Changes of gut phageome and bacteriome following fecal microbiota transfer in patients with intestinal graft-versus-host disease and Crohn's disease

Fecal microbiota transfer (FMT) is considered a potentially efficient tool for restoration of the patient's gut microbiota. The aim of our study was to trace the time course of dominant bacterial populations and some Enterobacteria phages in patients with GVHD and Crohn's disease after FMT procedure. We observed 12 patients with intestinal graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), and 15 persons with Crohn's disease after massive anti-infectious treatment. FMT was performed by a standard protocol using oral capsules administered for 2 days. Fecal bacteriome was assessed by 16S rRNA sequencing. Viral sequences were identified by NGS with a customized primer set. Plasma citrulline levels were measured in order to assess enterocyte damage in the patients.