Bacterial Density
What Does It Mean in FMT Capsules?
Understanding how your treatment is built – from stool to capsule
From Stool Sample to Capsules
How We Extract What Matters
FMT (Fecal Microbiota Transplantation) begins with thoroughly screened donor stool – typically, 150 grams of fresh feces. This material is rich in bacteria, which we isolate, purify, and dry under controlled laboratory conditions.
- This 150g of stool represents a complete transplant dose when used in traditional enema delivery.
- After drying and processing, this same material can be transformed into 1,200 standard capsules – each containing a small, measurable fraction of the original bacterial biomass.
1 capsule = 1/1200 of a full transplant dose: we call this our normal (1x) density capsule.
What is Capsule Density
and Why It Matters
Capsule density refers to how much bacterial content each capsule contains, relative to the standard (1x) dose.
- If we divide the dry biomass into 1,200 capsules → Normal (I) density
- If we divide it into only 600 capsules → Double (II) density
- If divided into 120 capsules → Tenfold (X) density
Capsule types we use:
I (Standard density) / II (Double) / V (5x) / X (10x) / XX (20x) / L (50x)
The higher the density, the fewer capsules you need – but the more potent and expensive each becomes.
Balancing Efficacy and Comfort
Why Not Always Use High Density?
Doctors tailor capsule density depending on:
- Severity of the condition (e.g., C. difficile infection vs. IBS)
- Patient’s tolerance for capsules (some patients can’t swallow 60+)
- Treatment strategy (e.g., rapid rescue vs. slow modulation)
For example, treatment strategy in Clostridioides difficile infection:
- Life-saving, short-term rescue → Fewer, high-density capsules (e.g., XX or L)
- Long-term microbiota rebuilding → More, low-density capsules over time (e.g., I or II)
This “hyperbolic treatment” model allows precision in fighting severe infections and addressing root dysbiosis sustainably while keeping service costs as low as possible.
How We Increase Capsule Yield
Pooling Donor Material
To support broader treatment needs without raising costs significantly, we often pool multiple donations from the same donor (typically 4–5 samples).
Why we do this:
- Ensures microbial diversity and consistency
- Yields more capsules per donor, without changing bacterial composition
- Helps reduce cost per capsule / treatment, especially in long-term protocols
This innovation is how we make treatments scalable and affordable – without compromising on quality or safety.
Choosing the Right Treatment
Medical & Financial Considerations
When designing a treatment plan, doctors consider:
- Diagnosis and microbiota imbalance severity
- Patient’s budget and capsule tolerance
- Whether the treatment is short, intensive, or long-term maintenance
Examples:
- TransferBiome 60(II): 60 capsules at double density – a common standard course
- HospBiome 5(XX): Just 5 capsules, but with 20x the bacteria per capsule, used in hospital settings
- DiffBiome+: Pooled regimens for recurring C. difficile infections
The higher the density, the fewer the capsules – but also the higher the price per capsule. Treatment design always balances clinical efficacy with patient comfort and cost-efficiency.
Ready to Personalize Your Treatment?
Whether you’re a doctor looking for scalable, evidence-based solutions, or a patient looking to understand your options better, we’re here to help.
Explore our capsule-sortiment service catalog or contact us for a consultation.
Disclaimer
MicroBiome Bank, when providing Capsule services, neither verifies nor intends to verify the authenticity of the provided identity and/or medical prescription. By placing an order, the customer acknowledges that the laboratory will perform the ordered service under the name provided by the customer, using a donor sample assigned with a laboratory-tested code. The processing is unique, and the final capsules are identifiable and traceable through an assigned code. By ordering capsules, the customer declares that the capsules, labeled "For Physician Use," will be administered under the supervision of their treating physician. Any effects resulting from intentional or unintentional miscommunication or the provision of false information are solely the responsibility of the customer.