Fungemia following Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii probiotic treatment in an elderly patient

摘要

The yeastSaccharomyces cerevisiaevar.boulardiiis a biotherapeutic agent used for the prevention and treatment of several gastrointestinal diseases. We report a case of fungemia in a patient suffering fromClostridiumdifficile-associated diarrhea and treated with metronidazole and a probiotic containingS. cerevisiaevar.boulardii.The yeasts isolated from the blood culture and capsules were identified by MALDI-TOF MS and API ID 32 C asS. cerevisiae,and showed the same appearance and color on CHROMAgar Candida. Treatment with fluconazole 400mg/day was initiated and the probiotic was stopped. The patient was discharged from hospital in good condition and was referred to a rehabilitation center. We suggest that the potential benefit ofS. cerevisiaevar.boulardiishould be accurately evaluated, especially in elderly patients. Moreover, all physicians should be trained in the use of probiotic agents and enquire whether the use probiotics was included in the patients’medical histories.