At the MTC we produce FMTs using donor stool from healthy individuals. Our donors are screened in accordance with national guidelines.
Donors are recruited following a stringent screening process that involves an extensive medical history and lifestyle assessment and microbiological screening for pathogens in blood and faeces. This screening process ensures that we are producing FMTs of the highest standard.
Our donors are reimbursed for their time, we appreciate the commitment shown by our donors, their participation and involvement throughout the recruitment process and donation period. £100 in vouchers of their choice are issued upon a successful two working week (Monday-Friday) donation period.
If you are interested in finding out more about our Donor Recruitment and Screening program, we would love to hear from you. To register your interest or for further information please email us on microbiometreatmentcentre@contacts.bham.ac.uk.
Frequently asked questions
What do you do with donated faeces?
Donated stool samples are mixed with saline and blended to make them smooth and liquid and any large particles are filtered out. The filtered faeces is then stored frozen until it is needed. When a patient requires a faecal transplant, the frozen filtered faeces is defrosted and put into a syringe. The transplant is then put into the patient’s stomach via a tube from their nose or into their colon via colonoscopy or an enema.
Will I get paid for donation?
Yes, you will be reimbursed up to a maximum of £200 in a gift card of your choice at the end of a successful 10 day donation period. You are reimbursed to the value of £20 for your time and effort for each day you donate.
What I have to have blood tests?
Yes. A sample of your blood will be required to be tested for blood borne viruses (e.g. hepatitis A and E and syphilis) at the beginning of each donation period. In addition to blood samples you will also be asked to provide faecal samples, a faecal swab, rectal swab and nasopharyngeal swab to screen for enteric and other potentially infectious pathogens.
How will you protect my anonymity?
All your screening tests, samples and donations will be labelled with your unique donor code and never your name. You will have to complete a health questionnaire and to speak to a member of the UoBMTC clinical team about your general health, each time you wish to donate. But this will be kept completely confidential – just like it would be with your own GP.
What would exclude me from donating?
You cannot donate if you:
There are also a range of other diseases, conditions and high-risk activities which could exclude you from donation and these would be assessed by the information given in your completed donor health questionnaire and the initial donor heath check with the UoBMTC clinical team, before any microbiology tests are completed or donations are made.
What exactly do you mean by “regular morning bowel habits” and why does it matter?
We have a 6 hour window to process the stool donation from when it has been produced. This means you will need to produce a donation and get it to us between 08:00-09:30 on each day of your donation period.
How long is the donation period?
A donation period is two consecutive weeks: Monday to Friday (10 working days) in which you would be required to make your stool donations. For each donation period you would be required to complete a donor health questionnaire and pass the minimum microbiology screening to permit you to proceed to making stool donations.
Is there a limit to how many times I can donate?
No. Donors are permitted to donate as many times as they wish. In order to donate for another donation period, you would need to complete a new donor health questionnaire and be screened again for the next donation period.
Practically, how would I collect the donation?
You will be provided with wide necked plastic honey jars for you to collect your donations into. They are designed to take a whole stool and most donors find it convenient to pass stool directly into the honey jar. Stool could be passed into an alternative clean container and transferred into the honey jar.
Does it matter what I eat when I’m donating?
You would be expected to eat your normal diet during the donation period. We would recommend any meat, poultry and fish you eat is cooked fully, and fruit and vegetables washed before eating them.
Eating plenty of fibre and fruit and vegetables and drinking plenty of water during the donation weeks may make regular donation easier.
What if something unexpected comes up in my screening tests?
If anything unexpected comes up on your screening tests you will be informed about it confidentially by a member of UoBMTC team and will have the opportunity to discuss the result with them.
How long will my samples and information about my samples be stored?
Retention samples of FMT manufactured from your donations will be stored for 25 years and information regarding your samples will be stored for 30 years.
What are the benefits of donating?
Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a novel way of rebuilding healthy gut bacteria intestinal flora and is highly effective in treating a gastrointestinal infection caused by a bacterium called Clostridioides difficile.
The incidence of other gastrointestinal diseases such as ulcerative colitis is increasing. It is reported that the occurrence and development of ulcerative colitis is closely related to imbalance of gut bacteria. By donating your stool samples we will be able to further understand through clinical trials and/or treat other gastrointestinal disease that are linked to an imbalance of gut bacteria.
What if I want to stop donating?
You can stop donating at any time with no questions asked. It is entirely voluntary. If you wish to withdraw your consent for donations previously made not to be used, then any FMTs that have not already been administered to patients manufactured from your donations will be destroyed. However, retention samples and data relating to any FMTs manufactured from your donations that have been used to treat patients will be kept for the relevant period.
What if I have any further questions?
Please contact the UoBMTC office, located at:
IBR West Link Level 2.72,
College of Medicine and Health,
University of Birmingham
Edgbaston,
West Midlands,
B15 2TT.
Tel: 0121 414 4547