- Published
- 30 March 2020
- Journal article
Screening faecal microbiota transplant donors for SARS-CoV-2 by molecular testing of stool is the safest way forward
- Authors
- Source
- The Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Abstract
We thank Gianluca Ianiro and colleagues for highlighting an important concern faced by faecal microbiota transplant (FMT) stakeholders, including stool banks, regulators, and especially recipients, during the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The authors are right in highlighting the concern arising from the detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in stool samples and the safety implications for FMT donor screening policies. However, we strongly believe that the approach taken by the authors in excluding donors on the basis of having developed COVID-19 symptoms, having had contact with patients with confirmed COVID-19 disease, or having recently travelled to regions affected by COVID-19, is insufficient and potentially unsafe. The world is currently amid a global pandemic, exacerbated by a large burden of asymptomatic or mild cases; as of March 19, 2020, more than 80 000 known cases have been reported in Europe and the UK. Exclusion on the proposed criteria of clinical disease, or travel exposure to perceived high-risk countries, or both, can no longer be considered sufficient. This point is particularly important, because cities and countries where FMT donor stool banks are based now have community outbreaks and in some areas they are registering as many, if not more, patients with COVID-19 than earlier reported rates from high-risk category countries. Furthermore, the authors have not taken into account the large group of asymptomatic carriers who could potentially shed virus in the stool for an undefined period of time, and that during this period they should be ineligible as donors.
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Cite as
Green, C., Quraishi, M., Shabir, S., Sharma, N., Hansen, R., Gaya, D., Hart, A., Loman, N. & Iqbal, T. 2020, 'Screening faecal microbiota transplant donors for SARS-CoV-2 by molecular testing of stool is the safest way forward', The Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 5(6), pp. 531-531. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2468-1253(20)30089-3