title: Saccharomyces boulardii viability and efficacy in horses with antimicrobial-induced diarrhoea.
abstract: Saccharomyces boulardii has been successfully used in the prevention and treatment of antimicrobial-associated diarrhoea in humans. We hypothesised that a viable, dried lyophilised preparation of S boulardii would survive in the gastrointestinal tract of horses with antimicrobial-associated enterocolitis, and significantly decrease the duration of diarrhoea. Twenty-one horses, over one year of age, with antimicrobial-associated diarrhoea of up to 72 hours duration, were consecutively randomised in a controlled prospective study. The treatment group received S boulardii (25 g, orally, every 12 hours) until the cessation of clinical signs. S boulardii was successfully cultured in 58.3 per cent of treatment horses on day 3. No statistically significant differences were found in days to return to normal faecal consistency; resolution of watery diarrhoea; return to normal heart rate, respiratory rate and temperature; resolution of leucopaenia; attitude improvement; appetite improvement; and survival at discharge. This is the first study to demonstrate survival of S boulardii in horses with gastrointestinal illness. Further study of the efficacy and safety of S boulardii in horses with antimicrobial-associated diarrhoea in a larger group is warranted.
authors.affiliation: William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA. boylea@vet.upenn.edu
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Boyle
authors.forename: K G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Magdesian
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Durando
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gallop
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sigdel
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial / Q000662:veterinary; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D004760:Enterocolitis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006736:Horses; D008297:Male; D050296:Microbial Viability; D019936:Probiotics / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012440:Saccharomyces / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents