Saccharomyces cerevisiae fungemia after probiotic treatment in an intensive care unit patient

J Mycol Med. 2018 Mar;28(1):218-221. doi: 10.1016/j.mycmed.2017.09.003. Epub 2017 Nov 11.

Abstract

Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a common colonizer of the human gastrointestinal system as a benign organism. Enteral supplementation of this yeast as a probiotic product is effective in the treatment of antibiotic associated diarrhae. In rare occasions it can cause invasive infections. We present two fungemia cases in an intensive care unit following probiotic treatment containing S. boulardii. We are warning the safety of probiotic treatment in critically ill patients.

Keywords: Fungemia; Intensive care unit; Probiotic; Saccharomyces cerevisiae (boulardii).

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / adverse effects
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Critical Illness
  • Diarrhea / microbiology
  • Diarrhea / therapy
  • Enteral Nutrition
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Fungemia / drug therapy
  • Fungemia / etiology*
  • Fungemia / microbiology*
  • Humans
  • Intensive Care Units*
  • Male
  • Probiotics / administration & dosage
  • Probiotics / adverse effects*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / drug effects
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / isolation & purification*
  • Shock, Septic / etiology
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Antifungal Agents