The adhesion of Candida glabrata is influenced by probiotic yeast Saccharomyces boulardii and growth conditions

Title : The adhesion of Candida glabrata is influenced by probiotic yeast Saccharomyces boulardii and growth conditions

Abstract:

Following the widespread use of immunosuppressive therapy together with broadspectrum antimycotic therapy, the frequency of mucosal and systemic infections caused by the pathogenic yeast Candida glabrata has increased in the past decades. Due to the resistance of C. glabrata to existing azole drugs, it is very important to look for new strategies helping the treatment of such fungal diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the probiotic yeast Saccharomyces boulardii on C. glabrata adhesion at different temperatures, pH values, and in the presence of fluconazole, itraconazole and amphotericin B. The method used to assess adhesion was crystal violet staining. Our results showed that despite the nonadhesiveness of S. boulardii cells, this probiotic significantly affected the adherence ability of C. glabrata. This effect was highly dependent on C. glabrata strain and was either antagonistic or synergistic. Regarding the extrinsic factors, temperature did not indicate any significant influence on this S. boulardii modulatory effect, while at high pH and at increased concentrations of antimycotics, S. boulardii did not manage to repress the adhesion of C. glabrata strains.

Biography:

Zorica Tomičić has completed her PhD in biotechnology from Faculty of Technology, University of Novi Sad, Serbia in 2018. Currently she is employed as a Research Associate at the Institute of Food Technology, University of Novi Sad. She works in a Laboratory of Microbiology and also conducts amino acids analysis by HPLC. Studying the virulence traits of pathogenic yeast and bacteria, as well as finding alternative solutions in their control and elimination such as probiotics, plant extracts, essential oils, etc. are of her special scientific interest.