Saccharomyces boulardii viability and efficacy in horses with antimicrobial-induced diarrhoea.

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.