Fecal-based “poop pills” show promise in reducing severe peanut allergies

In a recent study published in Science Translational Medicine, scientists administered a single regimen of 36 frozen “poop pills” to ten young adults who suffer from severe peanut allergy. The capsules contained bacterial strains isolated from the gut microbiomes of healthy infants, previously shown to protect mice from allergic reactions. After four months, three of the participants were able to eat several peanuts without experiencing a reaction.

A subsequent trial phase introduced antibiotics alongside the capsules, suggesting an enhanced transfer of beneficial microbes. The investigators linked the reduction in allergy symptoms to increased production of bile salts by the liver, which the introduced bacteria metabolize, thereby expanding immune cells that promote oral tolerance. Talal Chatila, director of translational immunology at Boston Children’s Hospital, explained that the right gut bacteria can restore the immune system’s ability to accept food. Ongoing work aims to create a purified, refrigerated version of the pills and to conduct larger studies to confirm efficacy and identify optimal bacterial candidates.