A new way to use gut bacteria transplants for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Official title: Efficacy and Safety of Proteolytic Activity-Guided fecal Microbiota Transplantation for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (PRAGMAT trial)
Funded at Mayo Clinic Rochester · NIH-11176806 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research explores if a special type of fecal microbiota transplant, guided by specific gut enzyme activity, can safely and effectively improve symptoms for adults with Irritable Bowel Syndrome that developed after an infection.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $316,102 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK137800-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11176806 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults aged 21 or older who have been diagnosed with post-infection Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose Irritable Bowel Syndrome did not develop after an infection may not receive benefit from this specific treatment approach.
What this research studies
Many people experience Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), especially a type that starts after an infection, called post-infection IBS (PI-IBS). We know that certain enzymes in the gut, called proteases, can cause problems like gut barrier damage and increased pain sensitivity in IBS. Our previous work suggests that an imbalance in gut bacteria can lead to too much of these harmful proteases. This project will test if transplanting gut bacteria from carefully chosen donors, who have low levels of these enzymes and specific beneficial microbes, can help reduce symptoms in PI-IBS patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could offer a new, targeted treatment option for patients suffering from post-infection Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary studies in humanized mouse models have shown promising results where fecal microbiota transplantation reversed high proteolytic activity.
Where this research is happening
-
Mayo Clinic Rochester
Rochester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Grover, Madhusudan — Mayo Clinic Rochester
- Study coordinator: Grover, Madhusudan
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Proteolytic Activity-Guided Fecal Microbiota Transplant for PI-IBS
A pilot study will test a targeted fecal microbiota transplant to help adults with post-infection irritable bowel syndrome feel better and have fewer GI symptoms.
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Using targeted fecal microbiota transplantation to treat irritable bowel syndrome
This study is looking at whether a special treatment called fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) can help people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) who started having symptoms after an intestinal infection, by using healthy gut bacteria from carefully chosen donors to improve their gut health.
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Fecal transplant plus fiber to treat graft-versus-host disease after blood stem cell transplant
A study to see if giving fecal transplant along with dietary fiber helps gut health and reduces complications in patients who have received a stem cell transplant and developed graft-versus-host disease.
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Fecal microbiota transplantation plus immune checkpoint blockers for solid tumors
This project looks at whether changing gut bacteria with fecal transplants can boost how well cancer treatments called immune checkpoint blockers work in people with solid tumors.
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Fecal transplant treatment for auto-brewery (gut fermentation) syndrome
This project gives capsule fecal microbiota transplants to adults with auto-brewery syndrome to try to stop their gut from producing alcohol and causing unexplained intoxication.
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How missing gut bacteria may drive post-infection irritable bowel syndrome
This project aims to restore missing gut bacteria in adults with post-infection IBS to reduce harmful protein‑breaking enzymes that may cause gut damage and symptoms.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.