Dose-Dependent Preventive Effect of Saccharomyces boulardii on clindamycin-induced Alterations in Intestinal Aerobic Flora of the Hamster

Abstract

The impact of Saccharomyces boulardii following disruption of flora homeostasis by clindamycin was investigated in the Syrian hamster model. The flora of control animals remained stable and the daily administration of S. boulardii (4 × 1010 CFU/kg per day) did not alter this equilibrium. The comparison between control animals and those treated with one single clindamycin dose (10 mg/kg) showed that this antibiotic significantly modified the intestinal aerobic flora. In these animals, the daily administration of S. boulardii induced a dose-dependent decrease of the amplitude of the changes associated with clindamycin. In particular a reduction of the resistant strains of streptococci, Enterobacteriaceae and Candida was noted. Moreover the decreased population of the sensitive staphylococcal strains recovered rapidly to their basal level under the yeast treatment. This direct effect of S. boulardii suggests that it can minimize the risk of development of potentially pathogenic strains.