Saccharomyces boulardii stimulates intestinal immunoglobulin A immune response to Clostridium difficile toxin A in mice

Infect Immun. 2001 Apr;69(4):2762-5. doi: 10.1128/IAI.69.4.2762-2765.2001.

Abstract

Saccharomyces boulardii is a nonpathogenic yeast that protects against antibiotic-associated diarrhea and recurrent Clostridium difficile colitis. The administration of C. difficile toxoid A by gavage to S. boulardii-fed BALB/c mice caused a 1.8-fold increase in total small intestinal immunoglobulin A levels (P = 0.003) and a 4.4-fold increase in specific intestinal anti-toxin A levels (P < 0.001). Enhancing host intestinal immune responses may be an important mechanism for S. boulardii-mediated protection against diarrheal illnesses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antitoxins / biosynthesis*
  • Bacterial Toxins / immunology*
  • Diarrhea / prevention & control
  • Enterotoxins / immunology*
  • Immunization
  • Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / biosynthesis*
  • Intestinal Mucosa / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Saccharomyces / physiology*

Substances

  • Antitoxins
  • Bacterial Toxins
  • Enterotoxins
  • Immunoglobulin A, Secretory
  • tcdA protein, Clostridium difficile