title: Saccharomyces Boulardii in Helicobacter Pylori Eradication in Children: A Randomized Trial From Iran.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Helicobacter pylori infects around 50% of the human population and is asymptomatic in 70% of the cases. H. pylori eradication in childhood will not only result in peptic symptoms relief, but will also prevent late-term complications such as cancer. Today, probiotics are being increasingly studied in the treatment of gastrointestinal infections as an alternative or complement to antibiotics.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In this study we aimed to assess the effect of S. boulardii supplementation on H. pylori eradication among children in our region.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial 28 asymptomatic primary school children with a positive H. pylori stool antigen (HpSA) exam were randomly allocated into the study group, receiving Saccharomyces boulardii, and the control group receiving placebo capsules matched by shape and size, for one month. The children were followed up weekly and were reinvestigated four to eight weeks after accomplished treatment by HpSA testing. The significance level was set at P < 0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  24 children completed the study. The mean HpSA reduced from 0.40 ± 0.32 to 0.21 ± 0.27 in the study group, indicating a significant difference (P = 0.005). However, such difference was not observed in the control group (P = 0.89). Moreover, the HpSA titer showed a 0.019 ± 0.19 decrease in the study group whereas the same value was 0.0048 ± 0.12 for the controls, again stating a significant difference (P = 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Saccharomyces boulardii has a positive effect on reducing the colonization of H. pylori in the human gastrointestinal system but is not capable of its eradication when used as single therapy.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Valieasr Hospital, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, IR Iran.
authors: Kokab
authors: K
authors: Namkin
authors: Valieasr Hospital, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, IR Iran.
authors: Mahmood
authors: M
authors: Zardast
authors: Valieasr Hospital, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, IR Iran.
authors: Fatemeh
authors: F
authors: Basirinejad
keywords: Helicobacter Pylori; Helicobacter Pylori Stool Antigen; Probiotic; Saccharomyces Boulardii