<i>Streptococcus salivarius</i> K12 inhibits <i>Candida albicans</i> aggregation, biofilm formation and dimorphism

Abstract

<i>Candida albicans</i> causes candidiasis, particularly in immunocompromised patients. <i>Streptococcus salivarius</i> K12 (K12) is a probiotic isolated from a healthy oral cavity. The study aimed to determine the effect of K12 on <i>C. albicans</i> aggregation, biofilm formation and dimorphism. <i>C. albicans</i> ATCC MYA-4901, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) isolate (ALC2), and oral cancer isolate (ALC3) and K12 were used in the study. All <i>C. albicans</i> strains and K12 were grown in yeast peptone dextrose agar and brain heart infusion agar, respectively, prior to aggregation, biofilm and dimorphism assays. Auto-aggregation of <i>C. albicans</i> MYA-4901 and ALC2 was categorised as high, while the co-aggregation of the strains was low in the presence of K12. <i>C. albicans</i> total cell count decreased significantly when co-cultured with K12 compared with monocultured <i>C. albicans</i> biofilm (<i>p <</i> 0.05). Inhibition of yeast-to-hyphae transition was also observed when co-cultured with K12. In conclusion, K12 inhibits <i>C. albicans</i> aggregation, biofilm formation and dimorphism.