Research Communications of the 24th ECVIM-CA Congress

Saccharomyces boulardii (Sb)is a non-pathogenic yeast used in the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal disorders in human beings and horses. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Sb in healthy dogs and dogs with chronic enteropathies (CE). Sb was formulated in 10x10 9 CFU capsules. Its concentration and viability within the capsules was controlled by yeast culture in subsequent steps until expiration date. Four healthy dogs (HD) and 18 dogs with CE (10 inflammatory bowel disease -IBD, 8 protein losing enteropathy -PLE) were included. In HD Sb was administered for 10 days (1x10 9 CFU/kg BID); daily clinical evaluation was performed to assess possible adverse effects and quantitative stool cultures for yeasts were performed before, during and after the administration. In dogs with CE a randomized double blind placebo-control study was performed, administering Sb (1x10 9 CFU/kg BID) or placebo (Pl). Sb or Pl administration was added to standard therapeutic protocols (diet, antibiotics and immunosuppressive drugs), to evaluate its efficacy for the treatment of IBD and PLE. Complete blood work, abdominal ultrasonography, gastro-duodenal and colon endoscopy and histopathological evaluation of intestinal samples were performed at diagnosis and after 60 days of treatment. Validated score system for the clinical signs (CECCAI), ultrasonography, endoscopy and histopathology were applied. Significance was set for P < 0.05. Results in HD showed the absence of Sb in the faeces before treatment, its presence after one day, its steady state (10x10 7 CFU/g) after 5 days and its complete elimination 4 days after withdrawal of treatment. No adverse effects were reported. In CE dogs the clinical score improved significantly in dogs receiving Sb compared to dogs receiving Pl (P = 0.009). In PLE dogs the albumin concentration increased significantly (P = 0.034) in the group receiving Sb with respect to Pl. The daily frequency of defecation in the Sb group was significantly lower with respect to Pl after 45 (P = 0.032) and 60 (P = 0.004) days of treatment. No statistical differences were found between dogs receiving Sb and Pl after treatment, based on the endoscopic evaluation of duodenum and colon. No statistical differences were found between the two groups on the duodenal ultrasonographic and histological evaluation after treatment. In conclusion, Sb can be safely used in dogs with CE, in addition to standard treatment, to achieve a better control of clinical signs and a significant increase in albumin concentration compared to the standard therapy alone.