Evaluation of antifungal effect of Lactobacillus plantarum and inhibitory effect on the production of germ tube in isolates of Candida albicans

Candida albicans is opportunistic yeast that may cause infection in predisposed individuals such as users of broad spectrum antibiotics. Increasing reports of candida strains resistance to common antifungal agents, has become a health concern. It is now clear that lactic acid bacteria can produce antimicrobial compounds with the ability to inhibit the growth of pathogenic microorganisms. The aim of this study was evaluation of antifungal effect of Lactobacillus plantarum and inhibitory effect on the production of germ tube in isolates of Candida albicans.
In this study antifungal effect of acidic and neutral supernatant of L. plantarum were evaluated using agar dilution method. All isolates obtained from mycology research center of veterinary medicine of Tehran university. The effect of supernatant (acidic and neutral) on production of germ tube in Candida albicans fluconazole resistance isolates from oral, vaginal and nail lesion with a control (no treatment) were determined in broth medium after 1, 2 and 3 h of incubation.
The average of germination of Candida albicans isolates nails, vagina and mouth treated with acidic supernatants were 3.48±0.87, 0 and 0 respectively. The germination of Candida albicans isolates treated with acidic supernatants significantly was reduced, compared with the control group (no treatment). Antifungal activity of acidic supernatant of L. plantarum against Candida albicans is very significant compared to neutral supernatant. Therefore, the use of L. plantarum is recommended for the prevention and treatment of infections caused by Candida albicans.