*3.3. Fecal Microbiota Transplantation's Safety in Non-Psychiatric Diseases*

No serious adverse event related to FMT has been reported in the literature. In a recent review, the commonest FMT-attributable adverse event was abdominal discomfort, which was reported in 19 publications [64].

There is a potential to transmit infection via contaminated donor stool. The donor stool must therefore undergo microscopy and culture for potential bacterial pathogens, microscopy for ova, cysts and parasites as well as viral studies and C. *di*ffi*cile* toxin analysis. Blood testing to exclude HIV, Hepatitis B and C and syphilis must be undertaken.

Changes in fecal microbiota have been found in patients with a number gastrointestinal and extra-intestinal diseases. Changes in the microbiome of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases and irritable bowel syndrome are well documented in the literature [65].

There have also been associations between various bowel flora, obesity, and the metabolic syndrome. The association has not been documented as causal, and it appears probably related to the diet consumed by these subjects. It would, however, be prudent to exclude donors with the metabolic syndrome.

SZ patients are already treated with antipsychotics, antidepressants, and other psychotropic drugs that have many side-effects (including sedation, weight gain, neurological disorders, diarrhea, and constipation), the FMT appears as a safe treatment in comparison of the standard treatment for SZ and MD. The risk–benefit balance seems favorable.
