Won-Young Bae, Young Jin Lee, Subin Jo, So Lim Shin, Tae-Rahk Kim, Minn Sohn, Hyun-Joo Seol
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to identify novel vaginal probiotics with the potential to prevent vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) and bacterial vaginosis (BV).
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen strains of were isolated from healthy Korean women, and their antimicrobial effects against and were assessed. Three strains ( LM1203, LM1209, and LM1215) were selected for further investigation, focusing on their growth inhibition, biofilm regulation, and cellular mechanisms against these vaginal pathogens. Additionally, electron microscopy revealed damage to induced by LM1215, and genomic analysis was conducted on this strain.
RESULTS: LM1203, LM1209, and LM1215 showed approximately 1 and 2 Log CFU/mL growth reduction in and , respectively. These strains effectively inhibited biofilm formation and eliminated the mature biofilms formed by . Furthermore, LM1215 decreased tricarboxylic acid cycle activity by 51.75 (<0.001) and respiratory metabolic activity by 52.88% (<0.001) in . induced cellular membrane damage, inhibition of protein synthesis, and cell wall collapse in . Genomic analysis confirmed LM1215 as a safe strain for vaginal probiotics.
CONCLUSION: The LM1215 is considered a safe probiotic agent suitable for the prevention of VVC and BV.