In vitro evaluation of inhibitory activity of Probiotic Lactobacilli against Candida species isolated from the vaginal flora of Immunocompro-mised Patients

Abstract

Diabetes is a proven predisposing factor for vulvovaginal candidiasis, along with pregnancy, use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, oral contraceptive, obesi-ty etc. For the treatment of candidiasis, imidazole drugs are effective; how-ever, due to the intrinsic or acquired resistance of Candida species to these imidazoles, and their side effects, infections by Candida species may necessi-tate alternative treatment. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of some probiotic Lactobacilli from commercial products against Candida species isolated from vagina of 55 diabetic women. Samples were processed on Sabouraud dextrose agar media. After incubation for 24h at 370C, the yeast like colonies were characterized and identified with gram staining, standard carbohydrate assimilation test and growth in differential culture media Hi-chrom agar. Four Candida species were isolated viz. Can-dida krusei, Candida albicans, Candida glabrata and Candida tropicalis. Out of them the C.krusei (33%) was prevalent in asymptomatic patients, while C.albicanse (48%) in symptomatic vaginal infection of diabetic patients. Pro-biotic Lactobacillus species were isolated from commercially available prod-ucts like Bion, Ecobion, Powell and curd and identified by morphological and biochemical test. Antifungal activity of probiotics Lactobacillus species isolat-ed from curd shown with the mean zone of diameter (mm) of inhibition and the SD was found to be 23.21±5.74 against Candida species. Therefore, it is visualized that probiotics can be used as a treatment or co-treatment of vul-vovaginal candidiasis of diabetic women and improves their life value.