Action mechanisms of probiotics onCandidaspp. and candidiasis prevention: an update

Abstract

Due to the high incidence of fungal infections caused by Candida species and their increasing resistance to antimicrobial treatments, alternative therapies such as probiotics have been studied. It has been show that several species of the genus Lactobacillus have anti-Candida activity, probably by direct inhibition, through competition for adhesion sites or production of secondary metabolites, and by indirect inhibition, through stimulation of the immune system of their host. However, the mechanisms of inhibition of these probiotics on Candida species have not yet been fully elucidated since this effect is related to more than one inhibition pathway. In the literature, several in vitro and in vivo studies have been developed seeking to elucidate the probiotics mechanisms of action. These studies have been focused on C. albicans inhibition assays, including analysis of antimicrobial activity, adherence capacity, biofilms formation, filamentation and interference on virulence genes, as well as assays of experimental candidiasis in invertebrate and vertebrate models. In this context, the purpose of this review was to gather different studies focused on the action mechanism of probiotic strains on Candida sp. and to discuss their impact on the candidiasis prevention.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus strains of oral and vaginal origin show strong antifungal activity in vitro

“…The probiotic mechanisms of action against C. albicans are not fully clear [27] but our present results suggest that some of the inhibiting effects are pH-driven. Similar observations have been made before [9,28].…”

“…During recent years, the use of probiotic bacteria to control oral Candida colonization has been investigated as an adjunct therapeutic strategy to prevent infections in susceptible individuals [24,26,27]. In this study, we investigated the growth inhibition of 14 selected Lactobacillus strains isolated from the human oral cavity or vagina.…”

Identification of sulfur components enhancing the anti-Candida effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus Lcr35

“…These results suggest the presence of anti-microbial effectors in the extra-cellular medium of Lcr35, the production, release and/or stability and efficacy of which could be enhanced by STS. Some lactic acid bacteria, including Lactobacilli species, have anti-Candida activity, probably by direct inhibition, through competition for adhesion sites, biofilms formation, filamentation or interference on virulence genes 25 . Some underlying mechanisms involved the produ ction of exopolysaccharides or chitinase by L rhamnosus GG able to interfere with hyphal formation of Candida 26,27 .…”

Oral Administration of Lactobacillus helveticus LA401 and Lactobacillus gasseri LA806 Combination Attenuates Oesophageal and Gastrointestinal Candidiasis and Consequent Gut Inflammation in Mice

“…These infections range from superficial infections to life-threatening systemic infections. C. albicans can infect immunocompetent individuals, but these infections are especially serious in immunocompromised and elderly individuals [3]. C. albicans has also been associated with a number of gastrointestinal diseases including celiac disease and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), suggesting a role in their pathogenesis [2,[4][5][6][7].…”

“…In addition, certain yeast probiotics belonging to the Saccharomyces and Saccharomycopsis genus have demonstrated beneficial effects in human and murine IBD models [22]. The effects of probiotics are well known to be strain-dependent and this is also the case in Candida infections [3,23].…”