Anticandidal Activities by Lactobacillus Species: An Update on Mechanisms of Action

Abstract

Lactobacilli are among the most studied bacteria in the microbiome of the orodigestive and genitourinary tracts. As probiotics, lactobacilli may provide various benefits to the host. These benefits include regulating the composition of the resident microbiota, preventing - or even potentially reverting- a dysbiotic state. <i>Candida albicans</i> is an opportunistic pathogen that can influence and be influenced by other members of the mucosal microbiota and, under immune-compromising conditions, can cause disease. <i>Lactobacillus</i> and <i>Candida</i> species can colonize the same mucosal sites; however, certain <i>Lactobacillus</i> species display antifungal activities that can contribute to low <i>Candida</i> burdens and prevent fungal infection. Lactobacilli can produce metabolites with direct anticandidal function or enhance the host defense mechanisms against fungi. Most of the <i>Lactobacillus</i> spp. anticandidal mechanisms of action remain underexplored. This work aims to comprehensively review and provide an update on the current knowledge regarding these anticandidal mechanisms.