Antifungal and Antivirulence Activity of Vaginal Lactobacillus Spp. Products against Candida Vaginal Isolates

Abstract

<i>Candida</i> yeasts are generally found in the vaginal microbiota; however, disruption of the balance maintained by host factors and microorganisms results in vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). This study evaluated the antagonistic activity of vaginal <i>Lactobacillus</i> spp. on <i>Candida albicans</i> to verify whether active compounds of <i>Lactobacillus</i> spp. had antifungal and antivirulence activity. The antagonism assay showed that 15 out of 20 <i>Lactobacillus</i> strains had an inhibitory effect on <i>C. albicans.</i> Biosurfactants displayed surface-tension-reducing activity, with the best value obtained for <i>Lactobacillus gasseri</i> 1. <i>Lactobacillus rhamnosus</i> ATCC 9595, <i>Lactobacillus acidophilus</i> ATCC 4356, and <i>Lactobacillus paracasei</i> 11 produced biosurfactants that decreased <i>C. albicans</i> adhesion and disrupted biofilm formation. The best results were obtained in the pre-incubation assay for <i>L. gasseri</i> 1 and <i>L. paracasei</i> 11. Overall, <i>Lactobacillus</i> strains showed significant anti-<i>Candida</i> activity, and their biosurfactants exhibited considerable anti-adhesion and antibiofilm activity against <i>C. albicans</i>. To be considered safe for use in vivo, the safety of biosurfactant (BS) should be investigated using cytotoxicity assays.