Probiotics in Case of Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea in Children: an Informed Choice

Abstract

Administration of probiotic strains for the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) in adults and children at the moment is the standard regimen of both Ukrainian and European treatment protocols. Saccharomyces boulardii are yeast probiotics. Their basic difference from bacterial probiotics (Lactobacіllus, etc.) is a resistance to antibiotics. In this regard, Saccharomyces boulardii can be used in conjunction with antibiotics for the prevention of side effects from the digestive tract caused by antibiotic therapy (especially AAD). The choice in this situation of a bacterial probiotic is less successful, because antibiotics can inhibit the activity of introduced bacteria. Importantly, Saccharomyces boulardii are not able to transfer antibiotic resistance to pathogenic bacteria, while bacterial probiotics have such a potential. The results of the clinical studies show high efficacy and safety of Saccharomyces boulardii in the prevention and treatment of antibiotic-associated diarrhea in children. In Ukraine, this probiotic is presented by Enterol®.

Keywords

• Saccharomyces boulardii
• antibiotics
• antibiotic-associated diarrhea
• children