Abstract
The yeast Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745 is a unique, non-bacterial microorganism classified as a probiotic agent. In this review article, at first, we briefly summarized the mechanisms responsible for its probiotic properties, e.g. adhesion to and elimination of enteropathogenic microorganisms and their toxins; extracellular cleavage of pathogens’ virulent factors; trophic and anti-inflammatory effects on the intestinal mucosa. The efficacy of S. boulardii administration was tested in variety of human diseases. We discussed the results of S. boulardii CNCM I-745 use in the treatment or prevention of Helicobacter pylori infections, diarrhoea (Clostridium difficile infections, antibiotic-associated diarrhoea, and traveller’s diarrhoea), inflammatory bowel diseases, irritable bowel syndrome, candidiasis, dyslipidemia, and small intestine bacterial overgrowth in patients with multiple sclerosis. In case of limited number of studies regarding this strain, we also presented studies demonstrating properties and efficacy of other strains of S. boulardii. Administration of S. boulardii CNCMI I-745 during antibiotic therapy has certain advantage over bacterial probiotics, because—due to its fungal natural properties—it is intrinsically resistant to the antibiotics and cannot promote the spread of antimicrobial resistance. Even though cases of fungemia following S. boulardii CNCM I-745 administration were reported, it should be treated as a widely available and safe probiotic strain.
Highlights
The human gut microbiota consists of around 1000 bacterial species [1]
This review summarizes the current knowledge about the role of S. boulardii in treatment of Helicobacter pylori infections, diarrhoea (Clostridium difficile infections, antibiotic-associated diarrhoea, and traveller’s diarrhoea), inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), candidiasis, dyslipidemia as well as gastrointestinal symptoms associating with small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients
S. boulardii CNCM I-745 is a medicinal yeast classified as non-bacterial probiotic agent
Summary
The human gut microbiota consists of around 1000 bacterial species [1]. The fungi consist of approximately < 0.1% of human gut microbiota. The composition of fungal microbiota (known as mycobiota) varies individually; in healthy individuals, the gastrointestinal mycobiota is dominated by Candida and Saccharomyces species [3]. The composition of human gut microbiota depends on many factors, e.g. life-style (eating habits, stress, the level of physical activity), administration of prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics as well as pharmacological therapy and surgical procedures [4]. According to Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations and World Health Organization, probiotics are defined as “live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host” [5]. According to the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics, a prebiotic is “a substrate that is selectively utilized by host microorganisms conferring a health benefit” [6]. The content as well as the activity of gut microbiota are
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