Clostridioides difficile, commonly known as C. difficile, is a major cause of nosocomial infectious diarrhea worldwide, with significant impacts on health care systems. Recent studies have focused on the role of probiotics, particularly Saccharomyces boulardii (S. boulardii), in managing and preventing C. difficile infections (CDI). S. boulardii is a unique, non-pathogenic yeast strain, first isolated from lychee and mangosteen fruit in Indochina in 1934 by French scientist Henri Boulard.

This yeast has shown promise in several publications from the 1990s for its potential in secondary prevention of CDI. It thrives on lychee fruit and was discovered by a French pharmacist who noticed its use by South-East Asian natives. Unlike Saccharomyces cerevisiae, S. boulardii offers biotherapeutic features and is non-pathogenic. Its beneficial effects are tied to its concentration in the gastrointestinal tract, with higher concentrations correlating with symptomatic improvement in both animal models and clinical trials.

A key study at the University of Virginia compared the effects of S. boulardii CNCM I-745, an antibiotic (Amoxicillin-Clavulanate), and their combination on intestinal health. Another study from the University of Texas Medical Branch highlighted how S. boulardii CNCM I-745 modulates fecal bile acids, which are crucial in the germination and growth of C. difficile.

The efficacy of S. boulardii in preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea and its potential in reducing the risk of HO-CDI in hospitalized patients are also subjects of ongoing research, as noted in studies from Washington University and the University of Washington.

The role of diet in conjunction with S. boulardii in managing CDI is another area of focus. Nutritional strategies are being evaluated for their impact on the gut microbiome and overall patient outcomes in the context of CDI.

For more detailed information on S. boulardii and its clinical implications, resources from MicrobeWiki – Kenyon College and Academia.edu offer comprehensive insights.