ANTI-ADHESION AND ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF PROBIOTIC BACTERIA ISOLATED FROM DAIRY PRODUCT AGAINST PATHOGENIC CANDIDA ISOLATED FROM IMMUNOCOMPROMISED DIABETIC AND CANCER PATIENTS

Abstract

Introduction: Candida species can cause different disease due to the colonization of the
fungal colonies. When the interruption of the host defense system, the candida species
become pathogenic and adhere to the host cell surfaces and produce biofilm, which induces
the appearance of Candidiasis. Different Lactobacillus species have anti-fungal activity
against candida species which cause candida infection and impair biofilm growth.
Aim: The antifungal and anti-adhesion activity of nine Lactobacillus bacteria isolated from
cheese and yogurt that were investigated against four isolated pathogenic candida from
immunocompromised cancer and diabetic patients.
Method: Three isolates from cheese and yogurt of lactobacilli were selected from 20 out of
33 samples for testing and six standard lactobacilli were purchased. Also, four Candida
strains were selected from 27 out of 37 sample from cancer and diabetic patients. All strains
were identified with biochemical analytical profile index (API), then the antifungal and
anti-adhesion activity were investigated using agar well diffusion method and microtiter
plate technique. Moreover, DNA sequencing was performed to lactobacillus plantarum
which revealed the most potent suppressor effect among the three isolated lactobacilli
against candida species.
Results: Our results showed the most profound anti-adhesion and antifungal effect was
exhibited by L. fermentum ATCC 9338 amongst all standard strains, while L. plantarum
showed the best inhibitory effect amongst the three isolated lactobacilli.
Conclusion: Our findings suggest that L. fermentum and L. plantarum have a crucial role
in suppressing the Candida biofilm and could be considered as biotherapeutic agents for
preventing candida infection.