Stability and Processing Impacts on Faecal Microbiota Transplant Products: An Integrated Metagenomic-Culturomic Analysis
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Background
Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is an increasingly used microbiome-based therapy, whose clinical success depends on the stability and viability of the donor microbiota. Few studies have systematically evaluated these parameters for FMT preparations. Here, we integrate metagenomic sequencing with culturing-based recovery of viable microbes to comprehensively characterise FMT preparations from healthy Australian donors.
Results
Metagenomic profiling of bacterial communities from repeat FMT faecal donations revealed high temporal stability within individual donors, supporting donor suitability for consistent and standardised FMT production. The community structure and diversity of final FMT products remained largely consistent with their source material, reflecting limited disruption during processing. Culturing and sweep metagenomics showed bacterial species representing 98% of faecal microbiota abundance was recoverable, underscoring the potential of FMTs to deliver a viable and functionally active bacterial community to a recipient. When FMT donor microbiomes were compared to >7,000 healthy gut microbiomes from 27 countries, donor samples were distinct but clustered most closely with other Westernised populations, while also exhibiting significantly higher diversity than most global cohorts. These results highlight the geographic specificity of gut microbiomes and the need to consider population context in donor selection.
Conclusions
This study strengthens the evidence base for FMT product standardisation and viability, with implications for FMT clinical use, donor screening protocols, and associated regulatory frameworks.
