Effect of Saccharomyces boulardii in Campylobacter jejuni in an animal model

AIM: The aim of this experimental animal study was to investigate the effect of S. boulardii on prophylaxis and colonization of C. jejuni, which is a common cause of infectious diarrhea.MATERIAL METHOD: A total of 50 rats were divided into five groups: Group I (control group, only phosphate buffer solution was given), group II (S. boulardii group, only S. boulardii was given), group III (C. jejuni group, only C. jejuni was given), group IV (colonization and S. boulardii group, S. boulardii was given after colonization with C. jejuni), group V (prophylactic group, C. jejuni was given after S. boulardii prophylaxis)Fecal samples were obtained for microbiological evaluation and inoculated onto Campylobacter Blood Free Selektif Medium for C. jejuni and Sabouraud Dextrose Agar for S. boulardii. Jejenum, ileum, and colon specimens were evaluated by histopathological examination and changes on lamina propria inflammation and mucosal ulceration were graded using a scale between 0?3. Data were analysed by using Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U-tests.RESULTS: After applying a single dose of C. jejuni, Campylobacter colonization was achieved in 100% of rats and significant changes were detected in the histopathological evaluation of this group. In contrast to these significant histopathological changes, in group IV (colonization + S. boulardii) S. boulardii was isolated from all cultures, but C. jejuni was not grown. Only S. boulardii was grown in group IV, which shows that S. boulardii was effective in the eradication of C. jejuni colonization. Similarly, prophylactic administration of S. boulardii in group V was shown to be effective in the inhibition of C. jejuni colonization in all rats. No statistically significant difference regarding histopathological changes between groups IV and V pointed out that, S. boulardii was effective both prophylactically and after colonization with C. jejuni and can be used for both of these purposes.CONCLUSION: In this study as a result of investigations about the effects of S. boulardii in colonization with C. jejuni in a rat model and depending upon the microbiological and histopathological findings, it was shown that S. boulardii inhibited both C. jejuni colonization after prophylactic use and eradicated C. jejuni after colonization. More studies are thought to be needed to enlighten the mechanism of S. boulardii?s effect on C. jejuni which may lead the usage of S. boulardii for prophylaxis and eradication of this infectious agent.