Efficacy and safety of Saccharomyces boulardii in amebiasis-associated diarrhea in children.

Human infection with Entamoeba histolytica (E. histolytica), known as amebiasis, is prevalent worldwide and is common in children in the developing world; endemic foci are particularly common in the tropics, especially in areas with low socioeconomic status and sanitary standards1. Approximately 10% of the world population is infected with E. histolytica, yet 90% of patients are asymptomatic. Of the roughly 50 million symptomatic cases occurring each year, up to 100,000 are fatal2. After malaria, it is likely that E. histolytica is the world’s second leading protozoan cause of death3.