The role of Blastocystis in gut health remains a subject of debate and the majority identifies it as a common component of balanced gut microbiota. In this study, we investigated the in vitro effects of two probiotic microorganisms, Saccharomyces boulardii and Bacillus clausii, on Blastocystis. A microscopy-positive Blastocystis stool sample from … was cultured in Jones medium and subtype was identified with sequencing of the 18S rRNA barcode region. The effects of probiotics (4×107, 4×108, and 4×109 CFU/mL) on the viability and growth of Blastocystis were tested using the Trypan Blue exclusion assay over a period of 12 to 72 hours. Metronidazole at a concentration of 100 µg/mL was used as a reference drug. The data was statistically analyzed with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Blastocystis isolate from a patient with abdominal pain was cultivated in Jones medium and defined as ST 3 after sequence analysis. In vitro co-incubation with S. boulardii completely inhibited Blastocystis growth at all doses (p 0.05), whereas B. clausii had no statistically significant effect in any of doses, as compared with the control. Morphologically degenerated but persistent Blastocystis was observed in the metronidazole-treated group, whereas complete clearance occurred with S. boulardii. Our results indicate that S. boulardii effectively inhibits Blastocystis growth in vitro and suggest the promising efficacy may depend on the type of microorganism. Further biochemical and molecular studies are required to clarify the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic potential of S. boulardii in the management of Blastocystis infection.
Demir et al. (Fri,) studied this question.
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