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[Inhibitory activity of vaginal Lactobacillus bacteria on yeasts causing vulvovaginal candidiasis]

Magdalena Strus1, Monika Brzychczy-Włoch, Agnieszka Kucharska

  • 1Collegium Medicum UJ. mbstrus@cyf-kr.edu.pl

Medycyna Doswiadczalna I Mikrobiologia
|September 1, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Lactobacillus species show potential as probiotics against Candida infections, with some strains inhibiting Candida albicans through hydrogen peroxide and lactic acid. However, Candida glabrata was not inhibited, suggesting complex cooperative mechanisms among Lactobacillus strains.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Probiotics
  • Vaginal Microbiome

Background:

  • Vulvovaginal candidiasis treatments are failing due to Candida resistance to imidazole agents.
  • Probiotics, particularly Lactobacillus species, are being explored for candidiasis prophylaxis.
  • The inhibitory mechanisms of Lactobacillus against Candida are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the inhibitory activity of vaginal Lactobacillus species against Candida.
  • To investigate if Lactobacillus inhibitory activity is solely due to hydrogen peroxide and lactic acid production.
  • To assess the efficacy of Lactobacillus against Candida albicans and Candida glabrata.

Main Methods:

  • Phenotypic and genotypic methods were used to classify 125 Lactobacillus strains from healthy women's vaginal smears.
  • Culture supernatants from 25 selected Lactobacillus strains were tested for inhibitory activity against Candida albicans and Candida glabrata.
  • The activity of live Lactobacillus cultures and their mixtures was compared to pure hydrogen peroxide and lactic acid.

Main Results:

  • Lactobacillus delbrueckii strains demonstrated the strongest and fastest inhibition of Candida albicans, correlating with high hydrogen peroxide production.
  • Lactobacillus plantarum supernatants showed extended inhibition of Candida albicans after 24 hours, even without hydrogen peroxide production.
  • None of the examined Lactobacillus strains inhibited the growth of Candida glabrata.
  • Live Lactobacillus cultures and their mixtures were more effective inhibitors than pure hydrogen peroxide or lactic acid.

Conclusions:

  • Certain Lactobacillus species possess inhibitory effects against Candida albicans, mediated by hydrogen peroxide, lactic acid, and potentially other cooperative metabolites.
  • The efficacy of Lactobacillus probiotics may involve synergistic interactions between different strains and various metabolites.
  • Lactobacillus probiotics may not be effective against Candida glabrata infections.

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