Role of Lactobacillus as protector against vaginal candidiasis

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the possible protector role of Lactobacillus agains t vaginal candidiasis. PATIENTS AND METHOD: In vitro studies performed to assess the capacity of 1 5 Lactobacillus strains to block the adhesion of two Candida albicans and o ne C. glabrata strain to vaginal epithelial cells and to inhibit the growth of these yeasts. Moreover, the presence of Lactobacillus was analyzed in 1 15 vaginal exudates from women with vaginal candidiasis. RESULTS: Only 8 of the 15 lactobacilli studied significantly blocked the ad hesion of C. albicans Y18 to vaginal cells. Lactobacilli from group III sho wed the greatest blocking capacity (62.9%), followed by group II (50.6%) an d group I (26.1%). In solid assays, none of the 15 Lactobacillus strains st udied was able to inhibit growth of the 3 yeasts. However, in liquid assays some lactobacilli evidenced a certain degree of inhibitory power against C . albicans Y17 (35.7%, 41.7% and 38.1% of light transmittance for Lactobaci llus groups I, II and III, respectively). Lactobacillus was detected in 89. 6% of women with vaginal candidiasis (by microscopy in 87.8% and by culture in 72.2%). CONCLUSIONS: These results lead us to suggest that probably Lactobacillus p rovides protection against vaginal candidiasis.