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.
Publication Date: 2012-11-16 PubMed ID: 23161811DOI: 10.1136/vr.100833Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Randomized Controlled Trial
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
This study investigates the possibility of using a yeast strain, Saccharomyces boulardii, as a treatment for diarrhoea induced by antibiotics in horses. Although it has proven effective in humans, this is the first study to demonstrate that S. boulardii can survive in the guts of sick horses. However, further research is needed to confirm its efficacy and safety in a larger group of horses.
Study Overview
- The study is designed to explore the potential of S. boulardii, a type of yeast, in treating horses suffering from antibiotic-induced diarrhoea. The hypothesis is based on the known effectiveness of the yeast in treating similar conditions in humans.
Procedure and Setup
- Twenty-one horses, aged one year and older, suffering from antibiotic-associated diarrhoea for up to 72 hours were included in a controlled prospective study.
- The horses were randomly assigned and treated with S. boulardii every 12 hours until their symptoms ceased.
Results
- S. boulardii was successfully cultured in about 58.3% of the horses on the third day of treatment, indicating that the yeast was able to survive in the horse’s gastrointestinal tract and may have potential as a treatment.
- However, in comparison to a control group, no statistically significant differences were found regarding the time needed for the return to normal faecal consistency, the resolution of diarrhoea, return to normal heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature, improvement in attitude and appetite, and survival rates at discharge. Thus, the study results did not support the hypothesis that S. boulardii could enhance recovery from antibiotics-induced diarrhoea in horses.
Conclusions and Future Research Needs
- Despite the fact that S. boulardii was able to survive in the guts of horses, this initial study did not show significant improvements in clinical outcomes.
- Further research with a larger group of horses is recommended to better understand the potential role of S. boulardii in treating antibiotic-associated diarrhoea in horses. The researchers also suggested that future studies should continue to explore the safety of this treatment method.
Cite This Article
APA
Boyle AG, Magdesian KG, Durando MM, Gallop R, Sigdel S.
(2012).
Saccharomyces boulardii viability and efficacy in horses with antimicrobial-induced diarrhoea.
Vet Rec, 172(5), 128.
https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.100833 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA. boylea@vet.upenn.edu
MeSH Terms
- Acute Disease
- Animals
- Anti-Bacterial Agents / adverse effects
- Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
- Colony Count, Microbial / veterinary
- Diarrhea / chemically induced
- Diarrhea / microbiology
- Diarrhea / therapy
- Diarrhea / veterinary
- Enterocolitis / microbiology
- Enterocolitis / therapy
- Enterocolitis / veterinary
- Feces / microbiology
- Female
- Horse Diseases / microbiology
- Horse Diseases / therapy
- Horses
- Male
- Microbial Viability
- Probiotics / administration & dosage
- Probiotics / therapeutic use
- Prospective Studies
- Saccharomyces / physiology
- Time Factors
- Treatment Outcome
Citations
This article has been cited 9 times.Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
