Prophylactic Saccharomyces boulardii in the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea: a prospective study

Med Sci Monit. 2006 Apr;12(4):PI19-22. Epub 2006 Mar 28.

Abstract

Background: Interest to probiotics for the prevention and treatment of antibiotic-associated diarrhea is increasing gradually. The most promising seems to be Saccharomyces boulardii . Using a double-blind controlled study, we investigated the preventive effect of S. boulardii on the development of antibiotic-associated diarrhea in patients under antibiotherapy but not requiring intensive care therapy.

Material/methods: All the patients were hospitalized at the Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology. S. boulardii was given twice daily during the course of antibiotic therapy and application was initiated in all patients as late as after 48 hours of antibiotic therapy. A total of 151 patients completed the study.

Results: The antibiotic-associated diarrhea development ratio in placebo group was 9% (7/78) and in the study group 1.4% (1/73) (p < 0.05). Stool samples from the patients with antibiotic-associated diarrhea were stored at -70 degrees C and Clostiridium difficile toxin A assay was performed using Enzyme Immune Assay as late as in seven days. C. difficile toxin A assay yielded positive results in two (2/7) stool samples from the patients with antibiotic-associated diarrhea in the placebo group and a negative result in the only patient who developed antibiotic-associated diarrhea in the study group.

Conclusions: The results implied that prophylactic use of Saccharomyces boulardii resulted in reduced, with no serious side effects, antibiotic-associated diarrhea in hospitalized patients.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / adverse effects*
  • Bacterial Toxins / analysis
  • Clostridioides difficile / pathogenicity
  • Diarrhea / chemically induced*
  • Diarrhea / etiology
  • Diarrhea / prevention & control*
  • Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / complications
  • Enterotoxins / analysis
  • Feces / chemistry
  • Feces / microbiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Probiotics*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Saccharomyces*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Bacterial Toxins
  • Enterotoxins
  • tcdA protein, Clostridium difficile