Currently, the FDA only recommends fecal transplants for treating recurrent Clostridium difficile infections, which can lead to severe gastrointestinal issues.

Despite their proven effectiveness for C. diff, researchers are exploring the potential of fecal transplants for a range of conditions, including neurodevelopmental disorders, psychiatric conditions, and type 2 diabetes.

Fecal transplants involve transferring microbes from a healthy person's stool into a patient's colon and are being investigated as treatments for various conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, diabetes, and depression.

DeLeon warns against the indiscriminate transplantation of bowel microbes into different intestinal regions without considering their natural habitats.

Further tests using human tissue samples confirmed that gut bacteria could indeed colonize areas of the human digestive system where they typically do not belong.

Experiments conducted on mice demonstrated that fecal matter from different parts of the intestine resulted in 'mismatched' microbiota that could persist for up to three months, potentially impacting health and behavior.

He highlights that the location of gut microbes is crucial for the success of fecal transplants, advocating for a careful matching of microbiota to their proper environments.

A recent study published in the journal Cell reveals that transplanted microbes may colonize inappropriate areas of the digestive system, potentially leading to long-term health issues.

Lead researcher Orlando 'Landon' DeLeon emphasizes the critical need to investigate the effects of different microbes on the intestine and the importance of restoring altered gut regions to their original state.

These mismatched microbes can cause metabolic changes, alter eating habits, and affect gene activity related to immune function and liver metabolism.

The study suggests that transplanted microbes may adapt their environments to survive in unsuitable regions of the gut.