Recruitment of feces donors among blood donors: Results from an observational cohort study

As the use of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has gained momentum, an increasing need for continuous access to healthy feces donors has developed. Blood donors constitute a healthy subset of the general population and may serve as an appropriate group for recruitment. In this study, we investigated the suitability of blood donors as feces donors. In a prospective cohort study, we recruited blood donors onsite at a public Danish blood bank. Following their consent, the blood donors underwent a stepwise screening process: First, blood donors completed an electronic pre-screening questionnaire to rule out predisposing risk factors. Second, eligible blood donors had blood and fecal samples examined. Of 155 blood donors asked to participate, 137 (88%) completed the electronic pre-screening questionnaire, 16 declined, and 2 were excluded. Of the 137 donors who completed the questionnaire, 79 (58%) were excluded mainly due to having an allergy, being overweight, or presenting gastrointestinal complaints. Among the remaining 58 (37%) donors, complete blood and feces screenings were obtained from 46 (79%). Of these 46 donors, 15 (33%) were excluded primarily due to abnormal blood results or the presence of apathogenic intestinal parasites. Overall, 31 (20%; 95% confidence interval 14-27%) of the 155 blood donors qualified as feces donors. In conclusion, blood donors constitute a suitable and motivated population for a continuous recruitment of voluntary feces donors. We found that a stepwise recruitment procedure was feasible and that 20% of the blood donors were eligible for feces donation.