Final answer:
Fecal transplants can treat ulcerative colitis caused by dysbiosis such as from a Clostridium difficile overgrowth, particularly after antibiotic use that disrupts normal gut flora.
Step-by-step explanation:
Fecal transplants can be used to treat ulcerative colitis, which is thought to be associated with changes in normal gut bacteria among other factors. In a fecal transplant, stool from a healthy donor is mixed with saline and introduced to the recipient's digestive tract using several possible methods like colonoscopy, endoscopy, or enema. This procedure aims to restore the normal intestinal microbiota, which can be thrown off balance, for example, by the use of antibiotics leading to overgrowth of Clostridium difficile (C. difficile). These infections are characterized by severe gastric problems, particularly chronic diarrhea, and fecal transplants have been reported to resolve more than 90% of cases.
To directly answer the student's question, fecal transplants can be used to treat ulcerative colitis caused by dysbiosis, which is a microbial imbalance that can be brought about by an overgrowth of C. difficile. This imbalance can occur after the normal gut flora is eradicated by antibiotics, leading to C. difficile infections.