Saccharomyces boulardii stimulates slgA production and the phagocytic system of gnotobiotic mice

The effect of Saccharomyces boulardii on the immune system tvas evaluated, comparing germ-free Swiss/NIH mice monoassociated with the probiotic with g erm-free mice. Saccharomyces boulardii colonized the gut of germ-free mice and survived the gastrointestinal conditions. An increase in sIgA productio n, both total and anti-S. boulardii, was observed in the intestinal content s of monoassociated mice when compared with germfree controls. The number o f Kupffer cells was significantly higher in monoassociated mice than in ger m-free controls. In S, boulardii-monoassociated mice, clearance of Escheric hia coli B-41 was higher than in germ-free controls. TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma a nd IL-12 serum levels were higher at earlier time points in monoassociated mice when compared with germ-free mice. These results show that the yeast S . boulardii modulates the host immune responses. This effect may be of inte rest for improving the resistance to enteropathogenic bacterial infections.