Bacteriocin-Like Inhibitory Substances from Probiotics as Therapeutic Agents for Candida Vulvovaginitis

Probiotics can potentially prevent and treat diseases. We examined the inhibitory activity of bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances (BLISs) from potentially probiotic lactobacilli and streptococci on and non- clinical isolates from women with vulvovaginitis. Using agar well diffusion assays, BLISs inhibited both and non- isolates. The BLIS from isolates had the highest anti- activity (33/45; 73.3%), followed by BLISs from isolates of subsp. (31/45; 68.9%), (30/45; 66.7%) subsp. (30/45; 66.7%), and (30/45; 66.7%). Upon characterization according to the retained activity under variable physical and chemical conditions, the BLISs showed stability against heat, pH, and surfactants, but were protease-sensitive, which suggests a proteinaceous nature of the active substances. Using crystal violet assays, the BLISs reduced the biofilm biomass significantly as compared to a control group that lacked BLISs. In vivo testing of the antagonistic activity was performed using the ( ) larvae model. BLISs significantly improved survival in larvae treated with isolates on the first, second, and seventh days, as compared to larvae inoculated with only ( < 0.01). The results show that BLISs can be used as biotherapeutic agents in vulvovaginal candidiasis.