Saccharomyces cerevisiae (boulardii) and the gut microbiota

Abstract

The human intestine is a complex ecosystem inhabited by bacteria, fungi, archaea, and viruses. However, the study of the intestinal microbiome attracts the most attention because of the abundance of bacteria. At the same time, given the diversity of microorganisms belonging to different kingdoms and coexisting in the same biotopes, studying only bacteria is a way to misunderstand the complexity of the processes occurring in the digestive tract. In this context, it is relevant to study the fungi inhabiting the digestive tract as participants in physiological and pathological processes in the host organism, as well as the therapeutic possibilities of individual representatives of the fungus kingdom. In this regard, of particular interest is Saccharomyces boulardii, a type of fungus that has a multifaceted effect on the human immune system, inhibiting the growth of bacterial pathogens and modulating the permeability of the digestive tract mucosa, which determines its active use as a probiotic in acute and chronic gastrointestinal diseases. Key words: Saccharomyces boulardii, probiotics, inflammatory bowel diseases, diarrhea, antibiotic-associated diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome