We bring you two recent science releases involving Colorado scientists. One features bumblebees and the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory. The second looks at new tick-born disease from Missouri that was tracked down by Harry Savage, CDC Fort Collins.
We also share a story about an unusual medical treatment that is saving people from a devastating gut infection called recurrent C-Diff Colitis. The treatment that cures this condition the most effectively is a fecal microbial transplant. Giving perspectives about the “cure” are CU Health Sciences Gastroenterologist Steve Freeman, and CSU Veterinary Scientist, Rob Callan. As for the treatment, this spring, the FDA put up hurdles so it was harder for doctors to do fecal transplants. So much outcry arose, this summer, the FDA lifted the ban.
Hosts: Jim Pullen, Shelley Schlender
Producer: Shelley Schlender
Engineer: Shelley Schlender
Executive Producer: Susan Moran
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 22:29 — 20.6MB)
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I am on my second round of c-diff and it is not letting up. I have Kaiser insurance but would like to get a fecal transplant. My sister who lives in California will come and be my donor……….how do I set this up
Hi, Terri,
Good luck with your efforts to cure your C-diff. It’s not clear to me at this time whether insurance policies cover fecal transplants. My suggestion is to check with your insurance group, and also with people who are doing this procedure, such as University of Colorado Hospital. I’ll be interested to hear what you find out! – Shelley