Influência da coagregação entre Candida albicans e Lactobacillus acidophilus sobre a capacidade de adesão da levedura em anel vaginal contraceptivo combinado (AVCC)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was evaluate the function of the co-aggregation between Candida albicans and Lactobacillus acidophilus on the adhesion capacity of the yeast to NuvaRing® contraceptive vaginal ring (CCVR) in an attempt to understand what takes place in the vaginal environment. Two vaginal isolates of C. albicans and an ATCC strain of L. acidophilus were used. Pre-standardized concentrations of the isolated and co-aggregated microorganisms were employed on the CCVR adherence essays and on the determination of the cell surface hydrofobicity (CSH). The number of yeast and lactobacilli adhered to the ring was determined through colony-forming units per milliliter (CFU/mL). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the liquid co-aggregate and of the adherence of the isolated and co-aggregated microorganisms to the ring was carried out. Both C. albicans and L. acidophilus have high adhesion capacity to the CCVR, without differences between the two isolates of the yeast (p>0.05). From one hour or more of co-aggregation, there was an increase in the adhesion capacity of the yeast (p<0.001), matched by a diminished adhesion of the lactobacilli (p<0.001). SEM demonstrated the characteristics of the co-aggregation and the adhesion of the isolated and co-aggregated microorganisms to the CCVR. There was no relation between CSH of the co-aggregates and their adhesion capacity to the CCVR in vitro. Considering that there would be a correlation of these findings with the conditions in vivo, the use of probiotics based on L. acidophilus or its presence in the vaginal flora would not protect against the adhesion of C. albicans to the ring.