US company pays cash for your poo!

Washington, Feb 1: An American non-profit is paying healthy people USD 40 for each sample of their poo in an effort to gather more materials for fecal microbiota transplants (FMTs).

FMT is a relatively new but 90 per cent effective treatment for the debilitating Clostridium difficile infection (CDI).

Although many can carry the C difficile bacteria and suffer no ill effects, others will experience severe diarrhea, abdominal pain and fever. FMT involves introducing the stool containing microbes that include bacteria, fungi and viruses from a healthy donor into the gut of the person suffering a C difficile infection.

While the acceptance for fecal transplants grows the amount of fecal matter available does not.

Typically it is close relations who provide the material, 'Gizmag' reported. OpenBiome is seeking healthy donors who will be financially remunerated at USD 40 per sample, with those donating five times each week getting an extra USD 50.

All donations must be done on-site at their Massachusetts suite and all donors go through a lengthy screening process and are rescreened each 60 days.

According to the non-profit, less than 20 per cent of people screened go on to become donors. For those on the receiving end, the company charges USD 250 per treatment to cover its costs.

PTI