Against Candida albicans: when yeast and bacteria join forces

A new study on the effect of combining several strains of the genus Lactobacillus with the probiotic yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-38561 has recently been published in the journal Scientific Reports. It is the fruit of collaboration between the Gnosis by Lesaffre, Discovery & Front-end Innovation and Microorganisms Centre of Excellence teams at the Lesaffre Institute of Science & Technology, and the Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology Laboratory at the University of Antwerp.

This study follows on from pre-clinical and clinical work2,3  which demonstrated the inhibitory effect of S. cerevisiae CNCM I-3856 on the opportunistic yeast pathogen Candida albicans responsible for several infections, including vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). In this publication, the researchers explore the effect of combining the probiotic yeast S. cerevisiae CNCM I-3856 and certain Lactobacillus strains on the inhibition of C. albicans: “Several studies have investigated the mode of action of individual strains, but the interactions between strains have often been underexplored,” explains Dr. Nathalie Ballet, researcher at Discovery & Front-end Innovation. “So, although multi-strain probiotic supplements are a market trend, they are too rarely supported by a rational approach.”

 

The study reveals numerous mechanisms deployed by certain strains of the genus Lactobacillus and S. cerevisiae CNCM I-3856 to inhibit the activity of C. albicans. For example, the combination co-aggregates with the pathogen, preventing it from attaching to and colonizing mucous membranes. In addition, the combination inhibits hyphal formation, a crucial step for tissue invasion by C. albicans, thus reducing the pathogen’s virulence.

This publication not only confirms the anti-Candida effects of probiotic yeast S. cerevisiae CNCM I-3856, but also provides a better understanding of the complementary – and even synergistic – effects of probiotic yeast S. cerevisiae CNCM I-3856 in combination with specific bacterial strains of Lactobacillus, with a view to potentiating its anti-Candida effects.

Asked about the possibility of substituting S. cerevisiae CNCM I-3856 and Lactobacillus for antifungal agents, Dr. Ballet replies: “Today, conventional therapies for vaginal candidiasis are based on the use of antifungal agents, either topically or orally in the event of recurrence. For the time being, probiotics are mainly used to prevent these infections in at-risk subjects, or to prevent recurrences after antifungal treatment. However, with the emergence of antifungal resistance, this solution could become a potential therapeutic alternative.

 

References :

  1. Spacova, I., Allonsius, C. N., De Boeck, I., Oerlemans, E., Tuyaerts, I., Van de Vliet, N., van den Broek, M. F. L., Jimenez, L., Boyer, M., Rodriguez, B., Ballet, N., & Lebeer, S. (2024). Multifactorial inhibition of Candida albicans by combinations of lactobacilli and probiotic Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-3856. Scientific reports, 14(1), 9365. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-59869-9
  2. Pericolini, E., Gabrielli, E., Ballet, N., Sabbatini, S., Roselletti, E., Cayzeele Decherf, A., Pélerin, F., Luciano, E., Perito, S., Jüsten, P., & Vecchiarelli, A. (2017). Therapeutic activity of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae-based probiotic and inactivated whole yeast on vaginal candidiasis. Virulence, 8(1), 74-90. https://doi.org/10.1080/21505594.2016.1213937
  3. Cayzeele-Decherf, A., Pélerin, F., & Jüsten, P. (2017). Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-3856 as a natural breakthrough for vaginal health: A clinical study. J. Obstet. Gynecol, 5(4).