SACCHAROMYCES-BOULARDII - A REVIEW OF AN INNOVATIVE BIOTHERAPEUTIC AGENT

Saccharomyces boulardii is a non-pathogenic yeast which has been used as both a preventive and therapeutic agent for the treatment of a variety of diarrhoeal diseases. The studies with animal models and evidence from human volunteers and patients indicate a profile which is effective in the therapy of diarrhoea and is remarkably safe for oral ingestion. The pharmacokinetic data demonstrate that S. boulardii reaches a steady-state concentration quickly and maintains a high stable level as long as the yeast is taken daily. Once the agent is discontinued, S. boulardii is quickly eliminated from the colon. Clinical trials studying antibiotic-associated diarrhoea, nasogastric-tube alimentation diarrhoea, Clostridium difficile-disease, acute diarrhoea and chronic diarrhoea in HIV-infected patients are reviewed.