Saccharomyces Boulardii Research
41 peer-reviewed studies · Evidence score: 9/10
Efficacy and safety of Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745 for the treatment of pediatric acute diarrhea in China: a systematic review and meta-analysis
McFarland LV et al. • Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology (2025)
S. boulardii CNCM I-745 is an effective treatment for PAGE and was well tolerated in trials done in China.
- S. boulardii CNCM I-745 was found to significantly reduce the duration of PAGE (SMD=-1.63 days, 95% CI -2.08, -1.18), improve the total effectiveness rating (RR=1.22, 95% CI 1.16, 1.28) and significantly more participants were cured (RR=1.47, 95% CI 1.30, 1.67).
- The finding that S. boulardii significantly reduced the levels of two pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL8) has not been reported in previous meta-analyses of PAGE.
- S. boulardii CNCM I-745 is an effective treatment for PAGE and was well tolerated in trials done in China.
Efficacy and safety of Saccharomyces boulardii as an adjuvant therapy for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori: a meta-analysis
Li M et al. • Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology (2025)
S. boulardii supplementation in traditional eradication therapy significantly improves the H. pylori eradication rate and reduces the total adverse effects and incidence of diarrhea, bloating, constipation, and nausea.
- S. boulardii supplementation in traditional eradication therapy significantly improves the H. pylori eradication rate and reduces the total adverse effects and incidence of diarrhea, bloating, constipation, and nausea.
- Published in Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology (2025)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
The use of probiotics and prebiotics in decolonizing pathogenic bacteria from the gut; a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical outcomes
Rahman MN et al. • Gut microbes (2024)
Protocol registration: PROSPERO (ID = CRD42021276045).
- This review aims to analyze available evidence from human-controlled trials to determine the effect size of probiotic interventions in decolonizing AMR pathogenic bacteria from the gut.
- The persistence of pathogenic bacteria after treatment was 22%(probiotics) and 30.8%(placebo).
- The pooled odds ratio was 0.59(95% CI:0.43-0.81), favoring probiotics with moderate certainty (p = 0.0001) and low heterogeneity (I2 = 49.2%, p = 0.0001).
The effect of Saccharomyces boulardii supplementation on Helicobacter pylori eradication in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis of Randomized controlled trials
Liu LH et al. • BMC infectious diseases (2023)
Current evidence indicated that S. boulardii supplementing with STT could improve the eradication rate of H. pylori, and concurrently decrease the incidence of total adverse events and gastrointestinal adverse events in children.
- Current evidence indicated that S. boulardii supplementing with STT could improve the eradication rate of H. pylori, and concurrently decrease the incidence of total adverse events and gastrointestinal adverse events in children.
- Published in BMC infectious diseases (2023)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Which Probiotic Is the Most Effective for Treating Acute Diarrhea in Children? A Bayesian Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Li Z et al. • Nutrients (2021)
To be conclusive, Saccharomyces boulardii may be the most effective probiotic for treating acute diarrhea in children, followed by several other single-strain and multi-strain probiotics.
- Saccharomyces boulardii [Odds ratio (OR) = 0.22; 95%CI, 0.11, 0.41] and Lactobacillus reuteri (OR = 0.23; 95%CI, 0.090, 0.60) significantly reduced the risk of diarrhea lasting ≥2 days when compared with placebo or no treatment, with moderate evidence.
- To be conclusive, Saccharomyces boulardii may be the most effective probiotic for treating acute diarrhea in children, followed by several other single-strain and multi-strain probiotics.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Effectiveness and Safety of Saccharomyces Boulardii for the Treatment of Acute Gastroenteritis in the Pediatric Population: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Fu H et al. • Computational and mathematical methods in medicine (2022)
The use of probiotic Saccharomyces boulardii can significantly improve the symptoms of diarrhea in children with acute gastroenteritis and reduce the duration of diarrhea symptoms and the time of hospitalization.
- The use of Saccharomyces boulardii in children with acute gastroenteritis could effectively shorten diarrhea duration (MD = 19.70, 95% CI: -24.87, 14.52) and reduce the length of hospital stay (MD = -0.91, 95% CI: -1.28, -0.54).
- Compared with the control group, the RR of continued diarrhea was significantly lower in the treatment group after 1 day treatment (RR = -0.31, 95% CI: 0.59, 0.03) and 3 days treatment (RR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.41, 0.66).
- In addition, treatment with Saccharomyces boulardii reduced the average number of diarrhea after 3 days of treatment by about 1.03 (MD = -1.03, 95% CI: -1.53, -0.53).
Effect and Safety of Saccharomyces boulardii for Neonatal Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Pre-term Infants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Gao X et al. • Journal of tropical pediatrics (2021)
According to this evidence we recommend S. boulardii to prevent NEC, reduce the feeding intolerance, shorten the full feeding days and hospitalization days.
- However, there were no significant differences in sepsis [RR = 0.84, 95% CI (0.61-1.17)], death [RR = 1.12, 95% CI (0.46-2.70)] and the time to regain birth weight [SMD = -0.93, 95% CI (-1.88 to 0.03)] between the two groups.
- According to this evidence we recommend S. boulardii to prevent NEC, reduce the feeding intolerance, shorten the full feeding days and hospitalization days.
- However, S. boulardii might be invalid on the incidence of sepsis, mortality and the time to regain birth weight.
Probiotics for treating acute infectious diarrhoea
Collinson S et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2020)
Probiotics probably make little or no difference to the number of people who have diarrhoea lasting 48 hours or longer, and we are uncertain whether probiotics reduce the duration of diarrhoea.
- Effect size was similar in the sensitivity analysis and marked heterogeneity persisted.
- Effect size was similar and marked heterogeneity persisted in pre-specified subgroup analyses of the primary outcomes that included all studies.
- In six trials (433 participants) of Lactobacillus reuteri, there was consistency amongst findings (I² = 0%), but risk of bias was present in all included studies.
Saccharomyces boulardii as an adjuvant therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication: A systematic review and meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis
Zhou BG et al. • Helicobacter (2019)
Our meta-analysis shows that S boulardii supplementation on standard eradication therapy significantly increased H pylori eradication rates and reduced the incidence of total side effects and some gastrointestinal adverse effects during eradication therapy.
- In addition, the need for discontinuation rate in S boulardii supplementation group was significantly lower than in the control group (RR = 0.33, 95%CI:0.16-0.69, P = .003; moderate quality evidence).
- Our meta-analysis shows that S boulardii supplementation on standard eradication therapy significantly increased H pylori eradication rates and reduced the incidence of total side effects and some gastrointestinal adverse effects during eradication therapy.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Multiple strains probiotics appear to be the most effective probiotics in the prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis and mortality: An updated meta-analysis
Chang HY et al. • PloS one (2017)
This updated report found that multiple strains probiotics appear to be the most feasible and effective strategy for the prevention of NEC and reduction of mortality in PVLBW neonates.
- Multiple strains probiotics were associated with a marked reduction in the incidence of NEC, with a pooled OR of 0.36 (95% CI, 0.24-0.53; P < .00001).
- Single strain probiotic using Lactobacillus species had a borderline effect in reducing NEC (OR of 0.60; 95% CI 0.36-1.0; P = .05), but not mortality.
- Multiple strains probiotics had a greater effectiveness in reducing mortality and were associated with a pooled OR of 0.58 (95% CI, 0.43-0.79; P = .0006).
Probiotics in Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy: Systematic review and network meta-analysis
Wang F et al. • Clinics and research in hepatology and gastroenterology (2017)
Compared to placebo, most probiotic strategies were effective when supplemented in Hp eradication therapy.
- The rates of eradication and adverse events were 84.1 and 14.4% in probiotic group, while 70.5 and 30.1% in the control group.
- Compared to placebo, most probiotic strategies were effective when supplemented in Hp eradication therapy.
- In triple eradication therapy, no probiotic showed a superior efficacy to the others.
Saccharomyces boulardii for prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea: meta-analysis
Szajewska H et al. • Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2015)
S. boulardii significantly reduces the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea.
- Significant reduction in AAD risk
- Effective across age groups
- Well-tolerated
Effect of Saccharomyces boulardii supplementation to bismuth quadruple therapy on Helicobacter pylori eradication
Jiang YZ et al. • BMC gastroenterology (2025)
The addition of S. boulardii to bismuth quadruple therapy significantly increased H. pylori eradication rates and decreased the adverse effects.
- Notably, S. boulardii supplementation to bismuth quadruple therapy significantly improved H. pylori eradication rates (RR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.04-1.12) and reduced the incidence of total adverse effects (RR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.45-0.62).
- We recommend adding 500 mg/day S. boulardii concurrently with bismuth quadruple therapy and continuing this therapy for > 10 days for optimal H. pylori eradication efficacy.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
The impact of probiotics on Helicobacter pylori eradication with bismuth quadruple therapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Liu YH et al. • International journal of antimicrobial agents (2025)
Adding probiotics, particularly S. boulardii or multi-strain combinations, to BQT significantly improves eradication efficacy and decreases treatment-related adverse events.
- PBQT significantly improved H. pylori eradication rates compared to BQT alone (pooled odds ratio [OR] = 1.49, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.20-1.85; P = 0.0004), with low heterogeneity (I² = 0%).
- Subgroup analyses demonstrated that both Saccharomyces boulardii (OR = 1.62; P < 0.05) and multi-strain probiotics (OR = 1.66; P < 0.05) significantly enhanced eradication rates.
- Concomitant administration of probiotics with antibiotics also yielded significant benefits (OR = 1.48, 95% CI 1.14-1.92; P = 0.003).
Investigating the influence of probiotics in preventing Traveler's diarrhea: Meta-analysis based systematic review
Alharbi BF et al. • Travel medicine and infectious disease (2024)
Studies investigating probiotics as a preventive measure for TD remain limited.
- Other genera of lactobacilli showed a protection rate of up to 39% against TD.
- Studies investigating probiotics as a preventive measure for TD remain limited.
- Only a few probiotics that reduce TD risk exist.
The effectiveness of probiotics as an adjunct therapy in patients under mechanical ventilation: an umbrella systematic review and meta-analysis
Anvarifard P et al. • Food & function (2024)
This meta-analysis examined the effects of Saccharomyces Boulardii.
- Probiotics significantly decreased ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) incidence, nosocomial infections, intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay, hospital length of stay, ICU mortality, hospital mortality, MV duration, duration of antibiotic use, and diarrhea.
- Thirty meta-analyses and nine clinical outcomes were re-analyzed.
- The obtained results of the current umbrella meta-analysis indicate that probiotic administration could be considered an adjunct therapy for critically ill patients; however, no specific probiotic treatment regimen can be recommended due to the diverse probiotics used in the included meta-analyses.
Comparative effectiveness and safety of interventions for acute diarrhea and gastroenteritis in children: A systematic review and network meta-analysis
Florez ID et al. • PloS one (2018)
Most interventions analyzed (except vitamin A, micronutrients, prebiotics, and kaolin-pectin) showed evidence of superiority to placebo in reducing the diarrhea.
- Most interventions analyzed (except vitamin A, micronutrients, prebiotics, and kaolin-pectin) showed evidence of superiority to placebo in reducing the diarrhea.
- With moderate-to high-quality of evidence, SB+ZN and SM+ZN, demonstrated the best combination of evidence quality and magnitude of effect while symbiotics, loperamide and zinc proved being the best single interventions, and loperamide was the most unsafe.
- Nonetheless, the effect of zinc, SB+ZN and SM+ZN might only be applied to children in LMIC.
Probiotic monotherapy and Helicobacter pylori eradication: A systematic review with pooled-data analysis
Losurdo G et al. • World journal of gastroenterology (2018)
Probiotics alone show a minimal effect on H. pylori clearance, thus suggesting a likely direct role.
- The mean weighted eradication rate was 14% (95%CI: 2%-25%, P = 0.02).
- Lactobacilli eradicated the bacterium in 30 out of 235 patients, with a mean weighted rate of 16% (95%CI: 1%-31%).
- Saccharomyces boulardii achieved eradication in 6 out of 63 patients, with a pooled eradication rate of 12% (95%CI: 0%-29%).
Choosing an appropriate probiotic product for your patient: An evidence-based practical guide
Sniffen JC et al. • PloS one (2018)
The choice of an appropriate probiotic is multi-factored, based on the mode and type of disease indication and the specific efficacy of probiotic strain(s), as well as product quality and formulation.
- Of the 22 types of probiotics reviewed, 15 (68%) had strong-moderate evidence for efficacy for at least one type of disease.
- The choice of an appropriate probiotic is multi-factored, based on the mode and type of disease indication and the specific efficacy of probiotic strain(s), as well as product quality and formulation.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Probiotics Reduce Mortality and Morbidity in Preterm, Low-Birth-Weight Infants: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis of Randomized Trials
Morgan RL et al. • Gastroenterology (2020)
In a systematic review and network meta-analysis of studies to determine the effects of single-strain and multistrain probiotic formulations on outcomes of preterm, low-birth-weight neonates, we found moderate to high evidence for the superiority of combinations of 1 or more Lactobacillus spp and 1 or more Bifidobacterium spp vs single- and other multiple-strain probiotic treatments.
- Compared with placebo, a combination of 1 or more Lactobacillus species (spp) and 1 or more Bifidobacterium spp was the only intervention with moderate- or high-quality evidence of reduced all-cause mortality (odds ratio [OR], 0.56; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.39-0.80).
- There was moderate- or high-quality evidence that combinations of 1 or more Lactobacillus spp and 1 or more Bifidobacterium spp and Saccharomyces boulardii reduced the number of days to reach full feeding (mean reduction of 3.30 days [95% CI, reduction of 5.91-0.69 days]).
- The combinations of Bacillus spp and Enterococcus spp, and 1 or more Bifidobacterium spp and Streptococcus salivarius subsp thermophilus, might produce the largest reduction in NEC development.