Interplay between Candida albicans and Lactic Acid Bacteria in the Gastrointestinal Tract: Impact on Colonization Resistance, Microbial Carriage, Opportunistic Infection, and Host Immunity

Abstract

Emerging studies have highlighted the disproportionate role of Candida albicans in influencing both early community assembly of the bacterial microbiome and dysbiosis during allergic diseases and intestinal inflammation. Nonpathogenic colonization of the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract by C. albicans is common, and the role of this single fungal species in modulating bacterial community reassembly after broad-spectrum antibiotics can be readily recapitulated in mouse studies.

A Complex Microbial Interplay Underlies Recurrent Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Pathobiology

“…Interestingly, it was recently revealed in a model of oropharyngeal candidiasis that Lactobacillus johnsonii may dampen C. albicans virulence both by inhibiting yeast development and by preventing burden of potentially synergistic enterococci ( 15 ). In addition, the study confirms the complex interplay between microbial species resulting in growth and virulence modulation, as demonstrated, for example, for lactobacilli, Enterococcus faecalis , and C. albicans in the gastrointestinal tract ( 16 ). Taken together, all of these recent advancements pinpoint the pivotal role of specific Lactobacillus species in modulating Candida proliferation on various human mucosae.…”

Intestinal Infection of Candida albicans: Preventing the Formation of Biofilm by C. albicans and Protecting the Intestinal Epithelial Barrier

“…A recent vitro study revealed that Lactobacillus strains acted against Candida, and the strains' biosurfactants were anti-adhesive and impeded biofilm activity against C. albicans (dos Santos et al, 2019). Given that lactobacilli and C. albicans are present in all regions of the human GI tract, including the low-biodiversity niches of the stomach and small intestine, Lactobacillus species may be central to preventing the outgrowth of C. albicans and other similarly resilient opportunistic pathogens (Zeise et al, 2021). In vitro study, butyrate isolated from Lactobacillus cultures can inhibit C. albicans hyphal morphogenesis (Noverr and Huffnagle, 2004).…”

Biocontrol of Candida albicans by Antagonistic Microorganisms and Bioactive Compounds

“…In addition to producing secondary metabolites that antagonize C. albicans , the competition for ecological niches of different strains during the growth process would also cause antagonism among strains, such as C. albicans and lactic acid bacteria in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract [ 48 , 60 ]. Non-pathogenic colonization of the human GI tract by C. albicans was common.…”

“…LAB could antagonize Enterococcus and C. albicans in the GI tract. C. albicans and Lactobacillus could mutually regulate each other’s growth and virulence in the GI tract [ 48 ].…”