In vitro probiotic properties of vaginal Lactobacillus fermentum MG901 and Lactobacillus plantarum MG989 against Candida albicans

Candida albicans is the most important Candida species causing vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). We investigated the potential of the probiotic strains Lactobacillus fermentum MG901 and L. plantarum MG989 towards control of C. albiacns. Cell viability tests following co-culturing with lactobacilli revealed that C. albicans cells lost metabolic activity and were eventually killed. Further studies revealed that MG901 and MG989 had high surface hydrophobicity that enhanced its adhesion ability to epithelial cell. The MG901 and MG989 showed coaggregation with E. coli and C. albicans to affect their adhesion and colonization. The adhesion of MG901 and MG989 to HT-29 cell and its inhibition of E. coli and C. albicans adherence to these cells were demonstrated. These incidences provided evidence of the possible colonization of MG901 and MG989 that would prevent binding and growth of E. coli and C. albicans onto intestinal epithelial cells. Following daily administration of 108 CFU of viable MG901 and MG989 orally, the animals' feces were examined for bacterial excretion. The potential probiotic MG901 and MG989 were found to persist for up to 6 days in the feces of mice. In conclusion, L. fermentum MG901 and L. plantarum MG989 have the potential to inhibit the yeast growth, which could possibly have played an important role in helping to clear VVC in vivo.