Did You Know That Colon Transplants Are Possible?

[tex]

Hi All,

While they are obviously pretty rare, they are occasionally done. Unfortunately, they're not really practical for IBDs, because the location of the problem is the immune system, not the intestines, so the transplanted colon would have the same issues, unless a powerful immune system suppressant were used indefinitely. Anyway, I thought that this was interesting.

http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/yourto ... ___s_life/

Tex

[TooManyHats]

By virtue of the fact that it is an organ transplant, an immune suppressant must be used for the rest of your life. The problem with that is, people with organ transplants have a higher rate of microscopic colitis (and graft vs host disease too--which is pretty horrible itself). I'm holding out for the fecal transplant as I feel it holds the best promise. It balances the bacteria in the colon and is the best probiotic on earth. Other than the "ick" factor, I think it's our best hope.

[tex]

I forgot about the need for on-going immune system suppression, (unless a bone marrow transplant is done, also). Also, I wasn't aware that organ transplant recipients were at a higher risk of MC. If that's the case, that would appear to pretty well disqualify it as a viable treatment for MC.

Tex